Twilight Sparkle finds an ancient book in her library about teleportation magic. After an experiement gone wrong she and her friends find themselves in a strange land with new friends and make some new enemies.
Twilight Sparkle finds an ancient book in her library about teleportation magic. After an experiement gone wrong she and her friends find themselves in a strange land with new friends and make some new enemies. She must now try to find a way back to Equestria or face the possibility of being eaten alive by a new threat that lurks in the skies above.
Copyrights go to their respective owners - Hasbro, Bethesda, etc.
Twilight Sparkle was in the library in the middle of reshelving day and was already halfway through her task. It wasn’t even noon and hope was touching the fact that she might get done early for once. Suddenly the front door flew open and a cyan blue form came flying in. Twilight barely had time to react before the cyan body hit her and both got slammed against the wall. The flouting books still in the air dropped to the floor.
“RAINBOW DASH!” Twilight shouted out.
“Oh…hey.” said Rainbow Dash, now feeling bad “Sorry about that. I just heard that the new Daring Do book came out and I had to see if you had it.”
“Well first I would need you to get off of me before I can get it.” Twilight said with anger
“Oh right…sorry about that too.” Rainbow apologized as she got off Twilight who then resumed her task of reshelving books. “Sooo…when can I see the book?” Twilight was getting a little more frustrated.
“After I’m done with reshelving the rest of the books.”
“Come on you can take all day doing this. The faster you give me the book the faster I can get out of here,” Rainbow almost started begging.
Twilight turned to her friend and was about to explain the rules of procedure when she saw a good sized hole where Rainbow had slammed her against.
“Great! Now look what you’ve done Rainbow.” Twilight grew even more angry, “Now I have to get a repair pony to get this fixed.”
“Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh,” Rainbow started to panic, “I’m so sorry Twilight. I swear I’ll pay for it.”
Twilight began to calm down. She sighed but began again, “No it’s fine. I’ll just…wait. What’s that?”
Rainbow saw Twilight look in the hole so she took a peek as well. She saw a faint glow come from inside. Twilight decided to take a closer look.
“It’s…a book!”
“A book…really? You’re excited over a...” Rainbow face-hoofed herself. “And I forgot who I’m talking to.”
Twilight levitated the book out of the hole and blew a small layer of dust off the cover.
“The Secrets of Expert Level Teleportation. WOOO! I can’t wait to read this!”
“But what about Daring Do?” Rainbow was wining again.
“In a second.” Twilight levitated the few remaining books to the center table and took the Daring Do book off the shelves and gave it to Rainbow Dash.
“Thanks Twilight, See ya.”
Rainbow Flew out of the library somewhat hoping Twilight would forget about the hole she made. The wind from her soaring speed closing the door as Twilight walked over to her study table. She opened the book with her magic and began reading. After a while Spike walked in and saw the new book as well as the hole in the wall.
“Don’t tell me Rainbow Dash was here again.” Spike said with an exhausted sign. After all this seemed to happen alot around the time a new Daring Do book came out. “I’ll send for a repair pony tomorrow. I’m too tired for it today. Hey, is that a new book?”
“Yes. I found it in the hole over there. It’s called ‘The Secrets of Expert Level Teleportation’. Spike get a quill and parchment out, I need to write a letter to the Princess about this.” Twilight was a little too excited about a book but Spike new that's how she normally got whenever she got her hooves on a new book, especially one about magic.
Spike got the quill and parchment seemingly out of nowhere, “Ok I’m ready.”
"Dear Princess Celestia, I have recently found an ancient book in the library called “The Secrets of Expert Level Teleportation”. It details in one very specific type of teleporting called “Dimensional Shifting”. I will be conducting some experiments within the next few days and will be sending reports on my progress as I learn more.
Forever you’re faithful student Twilight Sparkle"
“Send it.”
Spike rolled up the scroll and breathed fire on it to send it on it’s way. He was then headed upstairs ready to call it a day. “Alright well I’m gonna hit the hay.”
“What? Already?” Twilight was stunned a little, “Didn’t you just get back from shopping?”
“Yeah, but it was a busy day and the sun has been down for a while.”
Twilight was stunned for a second second time but looks out the window to see that it was, in fact, dark outside dimly lit by the moon and stars.
“Wow…I didn’t realize it was getting so late.”
“Come on Twilight you know how you can get when you get your hooves on a new book.”
Twilight yawned then started to walk up the stairs with spike. She realized how tired she was after all, “I guess I am getting pretty tired. I’ll try some experiments tomorrow.” With that the duo went to bed.
The next morning Twilight had Spike write up invites for her friends to attend the experiments that morning while she was preparing the spells just like in the book. The other ponies where not to thrilled about coming over for some spell they knew little about, much less getting up so early in the morning, at least Rainbow Dash wasn’t.
When the five friends arrived with Spike they saw the floor clear of everything except a large circle with six smaller circles evenly spaced around the larger one. All of which had very detailed symbols inside the round borders. An apple sat in the middle on top of a diamond shaped object that looked oddly enough like a dragon. Twilight came downstairs levitating the book next to her.
Twilight started to really get excited when she saw her friends. “Oh good, you’re all here. Now we can begin.”
Applejack normally got up early so this little visit wasn’t much of a bother. “Twi, Ah don’t mind helping ya out from time ta time but isn’t it a little early fer this. I mean I still got ta do my morning chores.”
“I had some sleeping to do,” Rainbow Dash is even more annoyed than AJ “…or a new book to finish reading…something else other than this.”
“Now now everypony,” Twilight tried to sound reassuring, “I know that you all have things to do but I needed six ponies to do this and this will only take about ten minutes…give or take.”
“Well I don’t see why we can’t help out with a new spell,” Rarity continues further, “as long as it doesn’t take too long of course. I still haven't fully groomed myself this morning.”
Rainbow signed then continued, “Fine lets just get this over with, I don’t want to turn into an egg head.”
“Great!” Twilight was ecstatic by the change of heart. “Girls, I’ll need you to get into one of these circles that’s around the large one.”
All six ponies grouped around the large circle while Twilight opened the book one last time to make sure everything was in order.
“Um Twi…,” The country mare said with slight concern, “before we jump into this could ya maybe give us a run down bout what’s gonna happen?”
“Of course. This circle represents the interdimensional travel gate that will allow any object to turn into tiny particles that can travel at light speed. The said object will then travel fast enough in such a short distance towards the center that they will enter something called the multi-dimensional time stream. There the particles will-“
“-TWILIGHT!” Dash had to cut her off before things got too out of hoof. “Use smaller words.” She made sure to emphasise every word.
Realizing her mistake the lavender princess face hoofed then looked at her friends. She then flatly stated, “The spell lets you travel to any dimension you wish.”
“Ooohhh.” All her friends were awe struck by this new revelation. All of them with the exception except Fluttershy.
“So…we’re going to travel…to another dimension?” Fluttershy spoke with her usual softly tone.
“No,” Twilight explained further, “we are going to send that apple to another dimension and then bring it back.”
“Oh that’s a relief.” The canary mare was relaxed for now.
Rainbow Dash, on the other hoof, couldn’t contain herself, “NO WAY! THAT’S SO AWSOME! But why don’t we travel instead of the dumb apple?”
“Because I don’t know if we would be able to come back,” She went on to address her concerns, “I also need to test out if a dimension can sustain life or if it’s even habitable. If an apple can’t even last a few minutes in one dimension then chances are we can’t either.”
The group agreed with that notion.
“Ok darling but what are the circles for?” Rarity curiously inquired.
It seemed Twilight wasn’t too sure about them as well. “As far as I can tell they're meant for protection. The spell is vague in some details but pretty straight forward in the execution so I have confidence that I can pull it off.”
“It’s alright Twi, we trust you.”
“Y-you can do Twilight. We all beleive in you.”
“Yeah you’re like the best at magic so of course you can do it.”
What’s all the worry for darling? Of course you can do it.
“If anypony can pull off a difficult spell, it’s you.”
It was comforting to hear all her friends praise and support.
Twilight almost began to tear up, “Thank you girls. I promise I won’t fail you.”
Pinkie Pie was a slightly different story, “Come on already, I really want to see how this works.” Between excited and annoyed for taking for long not much could stop that half crazed pony.
“Here we go. Brace yourselves.”
The others looked on as Twilight’s horn began to glow. All the circles on the floor soon followed and the five ponies looked on wondering what marvel would happen next. In the back Spike burped up a letter. He opened it and began reading. The more he read the more nervous he got. Then he began to look scared. The marks on the floor kept getting brighter as time went on, so did the ominous noise that waved off the spell. When he finished he was terrified for Twilight and the others. Spike rushed to the princesses side.
“TWILIGHT YOU NEED TO STOP THE SPELL!” Spike was yelling at the top of lungs trying to reach her over the radiating noise caused from the spell. “PRINCESS CELESTIA JUST SENT TERRIBLE NEWS ABOUT THE BOOK! YOU HAVE TO STOP!!!”
“I…I can’t stop the spell, it’s in some kind of lock!” Twilight started to panic. “SPIKE I’M SCARED!”
“DON’T WORRY I’LL BREAK THE CIRCLE! THAT SHOULD DO SOMETHING!”
Spike reached for the large circle but an explosion sent him flying back into a bookcase. Books came raining down on Spike covering him it the annoying texts. When he poked his head out all he saw was black burn marks where the others were standing. The markings in the middle was scorched, not even recognizable any more, and the apple that once stood was now nothing but ashes.
“Oh no…where…Twilight?” Spike felt helpless and alone now more than ever. “TWILIGHT! TWIIIIIILIIIIIIIIGHT!!!???”
He was starting to freak out as he searched relentlessly for the others in the library in a desperate attempt to find them. The basement. The attic. The bathroom. The kitchen. Even under the book pile. But to no avail. He was lossing hope fast when he noticed the letter in his claw being held by a death grip. “The princess…she’ll know what to do.” Spike was hopeful once again and immediately started to write a letter to the princess.
Twilight opened her eyes, instantly wishing she didn’t. She saw a tunnel of images, consisting of things she knew nothing about rushing past her at seemingly light speeds. Each had an image of something else entirely and most seemed to have a different...style of life or palette of color. She barely had time to figure out what an image might be before it flew past her. Whatever they were it was clear this was the Dimensional Time-stream.
“TWILIGHT!”
The voice sounded nervous but familiar. She turned to see Applejack floating in an empty space-like manner. A small glowing circle held its place just under her as if keeping her in place. The others were visible to her as well. They were in the exact same positions as they were in the library with a glowing circle under each of them. They either looked nervous or scared…except Pinkie Pie who looked a little happy.
Twilight frantically asked, “GIRLS! Are you all ok!?”
Rarity tried to sound calm but failed miserable. “We’re fine but you were knocked out for a few minutes. We were all starting worry that you were…”
“No I’m fine.” She responds back not wanting to hear what would come next.
Twilight noticed Fluttershy in a fetal position and Rainbow Dash trying, but failing, to console her. She seemed to be stuck in that circle as if a barrier was keeping her from moving. She looked down to see she also had a circle under her and seemed to float in mid-space, as if defying gravity. She stuck her hoof out and found an invisible barrier holding her in that spot as well. She was soon snapped back into reality.
“TWILIGHT SNAP OUT OF IT! We need to figure out what to do!” AJ Successfully brought Twilight back to her senses.
“Oh, right.” Twilight just now returning from her thoughts. “Um…well we need to get back to Equestria. One of these images must get us back somehow.”
“At this point I’ll take any path that leads out of here. It’s a little creepy here.” Rarity interjected.
“In that case what about that one?” They looked their pink friend who was pointing at a distant light. It was coming closer by the second.
“Good enough for me. As long as we can get out of here so I can calm Fluttershy down.”
“Ok but how do we move to it?” Applejack asks the group.
“Just aim yourself forward towards it and you can enter.” Pinkie again put forth her knowledge.
Twilight had a lot of questions at Pinkie’s knowledge of this place but for now she just wanted to leave so she made a mental note to ask her later. Twilight aimed forward and stuck a hoof out as if she was flying. On instinct her wings opened as well. The others soon followed her motion. They seemed to be moving straight towards the light that was radiating up ahead. The images were rushing past even faster.
Rainbow looked over to Fluttershy who slightly unrolled herself and looked forward, “Don’t worry Fluttershy we’re almost out of this, just hang on.”
“I-I hope s-so…” Fluttershy said to herself more than anypony else.
The group sped up to the light somehow keeping their formation. As they seemingly flew faster the light came up to the group. They barley missed it as they took a sharp turn into the never ending bright glare of light. All six ponies felt blinded as a small chill came around them. A few seconds later they could feel solid ground under their hooves and didn’t hesitate to plant themselves fermly on it.
The blinding light slowly faded to reveal a lightly dense forest the chill was felt a little more now. Fluttershy became less scared but still ran to her closest friend, wrapping her arms around the cyan mare. Rainbow Dash gave her a reassuring nuzzle which Fluttershy happily returned. The circles that held them in place were gone. The ponies gathered closer to try to figure out where they were now.
Rainbow Dash, like the rest of her friends, were confused. “Are we…in the Everfree Forest?”
“I don’t think so,” Fluttershy said with fear still in her voice, “I’ve never seen the forest with trees like these before.”
“It looks more like White Tail Woods but at the same time it doesn’t.” Twilight observed.
Rarity had to get her two bits in. “Well I say we find the nearest town or something. I don’t want to end up sleeping out here in the woods.”
“That sounds good, we can’t very well establish a plan without some place to rest…or food for that matter.” Their lavender friend held her title of smartest and most reasonable of the group. To which they all agreed to.
“So where do we start?” The country mare asks.
Something groaning could be heard not to far away.
“I say we start with that.” Twilight said.
“What is it?” Rainbow asked to nopony directly.
The groans could be heard again. This time it was clear somepony was in pain.
“Oh no. What if some poor critter is hurt? We have to help it.” Fluttershy franticly ran to the sound.
“Fluttershy wait,” Twilight turned to the other’s, “Lets go girls.”
The rest of the group followed close behind as they all came to the sight for a four limbed being on the ground. It was bleed profusely with a clear wound in it’s body. It looked as if an object was shoved into the creature but was no longer there. Multiple scratches, cuts, and bruises covered it’s mostly uncovered body. Some tan looking tough clothing covered some of it’s body, most of it on the lower half. The group was completely shocked and didn’t know what to do. The creature raised one of its limb’s to the group, its eyes half closed.
He looks down the shaft of the dragonbone arrow. The target…a troll standing over a freshly killed high elf. Looks like one of the Thalmor. The predator has the high ground…up wind. It’s only a matter of time before the prey smells the predator. The troll tears a limb off the fresh carcass and starts chewing on an end. Fingers must taste good to trolls. The prey lowers the severed limb, sniffing the air. The troll looks around for the origin of the scent. It looks directly it’s hunter. He releases the bow taking the arrow away.
“Are you sure you want to do this? It is not the path we wanted for you.” Arngeir asks the dragonborn sitting near him.
The two sat in the meeting room on one end of the table. One wearing robes the other wearing armor made of dragon scales. They currently reside in the temple called High Hrothgar. The smells of freshly fallen snow fill the air as a chilling breeze blows through the temple. The grey stone work does little against the incoming chill. Small fires are scattered around the temple but are helpless to fix the problem. The dragonborn decided to make one last stop before heading off on his noble quest to save Tamriel.
“Yes Master Arngeir.” The Dragonborn says as he sat across from his long time mentor.
“If that is what you wish then we will not stop you. But know that we didn’t want this outcome to take place.” The elder explains to his student.
“Master you always told me that I will need to choose my own path at some point. Alduin grows stronger and takes more innocent lives everyday. He must be stopped. You may think the world is destined to be destroyed but as the dragonborn I feel it is my duty to stop him at all costs…even at my own risk.” He passionately explains.
“Very well young dragonborn I wish you luck in your endeavors.”
They both stood up and bowed slightly to each other.
“Sky above…voice within,” the two proclaim with a soft voice giving each other the signature greet and farewell of the Greybeards.
The dragonborn starts to walk towards the temple doors. “Barix…,” He stops and turns to look at his master, “I…shall be expecting you back again. You still have not yet completed your training.” Arngeir says with a sadness in his voice.
“Of course master.”
With that Barix the dragonborn left the temple. Once at the bottom of the steps he walks to the edge of the cliff.
“OD! AH! VIING!” Barix shouts into the open air.
He stood there for a few seconds. A soft wind starts to blow. A winged beast shoots up from the mountain side, a dragon. It hovers in place and makes its way over to land on the mountain path. As it lands on the path it starts talking to Barix.
“It is about time you made your way out of that temple dragonborn. I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to come back out.” The dragon proclaimed, almost like it was shouting.
Barix responds as he climbs on its neck. “I was just saying my farewells, that’s all.”
“Pardon me young one. Do you have any others you wish to say goodbye forever to, chred lak ta ah, or will that be all?” Even with the volume and oddly spoken English words there was a strong sarcastic tone in what was said. Barix decided to ignore it. There was only one thing he needed to do.
“Lets move on Odahviing. Alduin has spent enough time getting ready as it is.”
“Very well dragonborn,” Odahviing’s large wings were raised and began to flap. The two of them were up the air in no time flat. “You might want to hold on tight, to get to our destination quickly, shee luk, we must travel fast.”
Odahviing made one burst motion with his wings and his speed tripled. That did nothing to rock the hero of Tamriel from his position. He held on tight to his ‘would be’ flying friend as he looked forward to his destiny. Not wanting to think of what might happen in the not so distant future.
It wasn’t long before they reached Skuldafn, gateway to Sovngarde. Barix got off Odahviing as his dragon friend landed on the platform below. He starts walking towards the temple entrance.
“Barix,” he turns to the dragon, “I shall return…in one moon cycle I shall bring you back to the earth realms, koo gi brutoo.”
“I think we both know that isn’t going to happen.”
“…In any case…I shall be here.” Barix bows slightly then walks off to the temple ahead. Odahviing says one last thing. “It has been an honor…young Dovahkiin!”
The sound of flapping and wind picking up indicates the dragons distance increasing with each passing second. Barix stops for one second to take in what is about to happen. He thinks back to all that happened up to this point. Every life saved, every soul taken, every coin earned and every adventuring step taken. He shed a tear as he readies his dragon style shield and sword.
As the dragonborn turns the first corner a draugr swings its axe but his reflexes are too quick. Barix responds with a block of his shield and a stab through the heart. To finish he rips his sword out, hits the draugr in the face with his shield, makes a quick three sixty spin, and decapitates the undead creature. More show up as they heard the commotion near the entrance, still makes for little more the a sweat breaker for the experienced fighter.
Not many newly dead draugr later he is standing at the bottom of the set of steps that lay near the temple. He hears a roar in the skies as a dragon closes in overhead. It breathes fire as it flies by and with no immediate place to take cover he turns his back to the dragon putting his shield behind his head. The dragon passes by, finished by the fly by scorch, while Barix hadn’t taken any physical damage. The dragonborn looks up to see it’s an blood dragon. It’s not very old so it would be easy to take down.
“JOOR!”
The dragon didn’t get too far after it’s attack before it crashed to the temple wall. An indent was made on the final crash landing to the ground. With Dragonrend still in effect Barix rushes it. He got on top of the dragon while it was still writhing in pain. He didn’t spare a second before crashing the sword into it’s heart. The dragon arched its back in pain while letting out a terrified roar. Twisting the sword around to make sure he got the heart he then pulled it out as fast as he stabbed it into the beast. Taking a deep breath, he shouted at the top of his lungs hoping to end it in one Thu'um.
“FUS! RO! DAH!”
The force sends the dragons body back down to the stone ground. further impacting the stone work below. A loud snap was heard as the dragon now lay motionless. Barix got up and heads to the front of the now deceased dragon. He stabbed his dragonbone sword into the stone floor with easy then raised his hands to a praying position. The dragon was already starting to fade away. A few seconds later the soul of the dragon was visible as it entered the dragonborn. A warm rush of power filled his body as he felt the all too familiar experience of pure power. No matter how young or misguided they were it never made things any easier.
“Rest in peace dear brother.” A sad tone was present in his voice. Barix reclaims his sword as he ascends the stairs to the temple, leaving the bones and scales of a dead dragon behind.
Barix quietly entered the temple. Multiple draugr and skeletons could be seen ahead. He sheathed his sword and readied a spell. Pointing to the dark purple orb towards the center of the undead group he unleashes the spell calling forth a frost atronach. The enemies started attacking it as he backed up and withdrew out his bow. Arrows were sent flying to the undead as the atronach was slowly but surely being hacked to pieces. Within minutes Barix walked by a pile of ice and fully dead corpses, most with arrows in their skulls.
As the dragonborn moved through the temple he left spell tomes and jewels that he would normally claim as a small prize. Knowing he wasn’t going to use or sell them later there was no point in collecting any of the priceless treasures. He continued his journey slicing any undead creature that stood in his way leaving a trail of bodies behind. It took a little longer than expected but he finally found the main chamber. A Draugr Death Overlord was on its knees bowing towards a dragon priest that was hovering in front of the undead minion. By the sound they were making the priest was giving the draugr orders. Barix wasn’t going to let them finish.
He began to ready his bow when the priest looked directly at him. He froze in place as the draugr also looked right at him. The priest shot an ice spike at the spy but wasn’t as fast leaving the aforementioned spy enough time to dodge the attack. As he rolled to avoid the icy shot he put away his bow, raised his shield, and drew his sword all expertly at the same time as he dodged the spell. By the time he stood he saw the priest making it’s way out of the temple and the draugr had stood as well and was ready for a fight. The draugr looked like it took a deep breath.
“ZUN! HAAL! VIIK!” its voice was grated and hard to listen too but held the same meaning.
Barix had to even the playing field. When the shout was already halfway to him he shouted back.
“ZUN! HAAL! VIIK!” at the end of the shout a force pulled the sword from his hands and shot it somewhere unknown.
His shout met the draugr and the ebony sword it held flew out of its hand. Barix pulled out his dragonbone war axe that hung from his right side. The draugr looked angry now. It was preparing a spell when Barix rushed it head on. It fired two fire balls. Again, having outstanding reflexes, Barix ducked down and slammed into the draugrs’ legs. It struggled to get to up but the dragonborn made a clean swing at its skull nearly splitting it in half, silencing the draugr forever. Before leaving he found his sword stuck high up in the ceiling. There was no time to get it down.
Barix made his way outside to the sight of the dragon priest pulling out a staff from the top of some stone steps. Below a portal like gateway closed leaving a flat stone walkway. The priest turns to see his dragon slaying enemy standing near the door. the priest performs an ice cloak spell then points the staff at Barix. A spark traveled across the air when it shot a bolt toward it’s enemy. It impacted the dragonborn and sent him flying into the stone wall. He gasped as air escaped his lungs. He landed on all four’s as he tried to both hack up a lung and get some air in his system. The priest was about to shoot another bolt.
“GOL!” He was barely able to shout.
Through the pain he managed to raise a small stone wall to block any incoming attacks. The priest made failed attempts to break down the wall with some ice spears. The priest began moving to the side. Barix chugs a Vigorous Healing Potion that used to reside in his satchel. He peeked over the side to see the dragon priest moving to his right, taking a few more shots at him. He hid back behind the wall nearly missing the icy shots. He closed his eyes concentrating on his next move.
“A few more seconds, better make it count.” Slight desperation in his voice.
He put his axe back in it’s spot on his belt and dropped his shield. Taking one last look at the priest the head strong warrior ran out before another shot could be fired. He pulled stone up to surround the priest on three sides exposing only his front. The priest looked around, Barix couldn’t tell for sure but the priest must be confused. This was his moment. He ran straight at the priest who saw the suicidal charge and began to strike with the staff again.
“WULD!”
Barix tackled the priest up against the wall giving it a sudden shock. The frost bitten chill made it instantly clear that this was a bad idea. He turned and threw the dragon priest to the ground on its back. Only able to curl his fingers he settled for punching away its arms as it tried to use its spells and staff. Busting off the arm that held the staff he saw the opening he was hoping for to knock back its other arm and used his foot to crush its neck. Landing his foot just below its mask a loud crunch was heard, the ice cloak receded to nothing. His body numb as he dropped to the ground. The last sounds adiable were those of the rock walls returning to normal.
A few minutes later a frost dragon flew nearby. It took notice of the scene landing to investigate. It saw a dragon priest and the dragonborn laying on the ground, the sun beaming down on them.
“HA HA HA! Look at you now dovahkiin. Alduin would love to see your dead body. It is too bad he will never be able to.” The dragon was opening it’s mouth ready to swallow the dragonborn in one gulp.
“GOH! HA! DOV!”
Barix shouted at the dragon before it closed its mouth on him. The dragon stopped and backed off. Barix got up as he grabbed the staff and his shield.
“I was beginning to wonder if Alduin was watching this place or not.”
“I can assure you he is dovahkiin, you should move before others arrive.”
Barix starts walking to the small staircase, staff in hand.
“I need you to come with me. I will need all the help I can get.”
“By your command young dovahkiin.”
Barix planted the staff in the pedestal settled on the ground. The ground opened up to reveal a portal. He stepped off the ledge and fell through it. The dragon checked the skies for spies before following through. The dragonborn awoke to a thick fogged valley with his new dragon companion nearby.
“We must move dovahkiin, Alduin draws near.” The dragon companion seemed nervous and obviously wanted to keep moving.
Barix himself wasn’t quite ready to fight the immortal dragon just yet. He got up and starts walking rather quickly through a path but he couldn’t see much of anything. Maybe ten feet in front of him if he was lucky. A roar was heard that he knew all too well. It was Alduin. Barix picked up the pace almost desperate to find his destination.
“Move dovahkiin, I will see if I can draw him away.” The dragon rose higher.
Roar’s could be heard throughout the path as if they were coming from everywhere at the same time. Flashes of fire could even be seen throught the thick haze. Soon Barix came to a small clearing. There was a temple not far off with what looked like a dragon spine bridge connecting the land to the temple. Standing in front of that was a rather large, strong, but calm looking spirit. He approached the figure cautiously as he can while still moving quickly.
“Hello my name is Ba-”
“Barix the dragonborn, I know. My name is Tsun and I also know you have traveled far to defeat Alduin. You must already know of the three brave warriors who fought Alduin last time. They reside here in the Hall of Valor. But I cannot just let anyone pass, even if they are the fabled dragonborn. You must be tested first. Take up arms young warrior.”
Barix did just that. Drawing out his axe and shield Tsun took from his back a large battleaxe. He calculated a strategy of swift shallow attacks with quick movements. There was no way he would win a battle of strength. Tsun took the first swing as his opponent dodged to the side and swung at him.
“FUS!”
Barix was not prepared for the thu’um he received, as a result he was thrown backwards and landed on his back. With amazing speed, for Tsun size anyway, he rushed Barix and swung down on the axe. A half roll prevented the dragonborn from getting a permanent headache. He kicked Tsun in the face. Stumbling back a few steps the grounded fighter get’s up ready to give a shout of his own.
“SU!”
Barix swung his battle axe faster than a blur and hitting Tsun’s armor and weapon like a mad man. Tsun didn’t even need to make a big attempt to block the strike he was taking.
“It is a wonder you made it this far dragonborn, you don’t have any focus in battle.” Barix ignored the statement and kept swinging. A few second later he retreated back a few feet ready to dish out the second phase of his plan.
“FUS!” Unleashing his thu’um on Tsun wasn’t effective at all.
That is until all the steel armor he was wearing was forced off leaving nothing but a cloth covering his more delicate parts. He was stunned to say the least. Barix swung downward in front of Tsun with his axe. The muscular spirit responded by holding the handle out to stop the attack. His palms were facing up, part three was a success. The dragonborn threw his shield arm up striking the handle with the shield while pulling back his axe. Tsun was forced to lose his weapon as it flew in the air. Barix spun while getting closer to unarmed warrior. His axe stopped inches from the neck. The large battleaxe stuck in the ground just feet from them. Tsun grinned with delight.
“Ha ha ha, well done dragonborn,” Barix lowers his weapon, “I see now why you came this far. You are free to enter.”
Tsun steps aside as the victor walks to the hall, sheathing his axe. ‘The doors looked a lot smaller further away.’ He thought as he opened the giant doors to the hall. The entry room looked like a dining hall with warriors great and small taking some seats at the table as others were standing around talking. Barix got to the bottom of the steps-
“Dragonborn!” He turned to see three beings approach him. Two warriors and a mage. “We were starting to wonder when you would show up. My name is Felldir and these are my companions Gormlaith and Hakon. We understand you are here to face Alduin and we have come to give support in your endeavor.”
“I could use the help, thank you friends. Let’s move now. Alduin only becomes stronger with each second.”
With that the heroes left and headed fight their ultimate battle and perhaps their last. They stop in front of the deep mist.
“Unless we clear the mist Alduin will have the advantage in sight.” Hakon said what the others were thinking.
“Clear Skies everyone, let us bring down this mist,” Barix was slightly envious that Felldir thought of that before he did. Then again mages were normally smarter than others.
“LOK! VAH! KOOR!” The combined shouts blew the mist clear out.
“VEN! MUL! RIIK!” Fog clouded the area just as before.
“Keep it up, his strength can’t last forever. AGAIN!” Felldir gave confidence in his voice.
“LOK! VAH! KOOR!” The fog cleared again.
“VEN! MUL! RIIK!” The fog came back but seemed to be less thick.
“Will Alduin not falter?” Gormlaith was as annoyed with this as the other’s.
“No, look closely. His strength is waning. Once more should do it.”
“LOK! VAH! KOOR!”
The fog cleared for good. No other shouts could be heard. A roar sounded in the distance and soon a large dragon flew over a nearby hill landing in front on the group. All four of the mighty warriors took up arms. Barix saw a smaller dragons head in it’s mouth. It took him only a second for the thought to cross his mind.
“Alduin…so the tales are true. You really are a heartless monster, and an ignorant one at that.” Barix could only look at him with hate.
Alduin tossed the head to the side. “Dovahkiin, don’t act so surprised, you should realize by now I kill all who oppose me. Now as you, you have become too much of a nuisance to me. I will kill you slowly and painfully, jah yi ryip, but first I will permanently dispose of the three who first stood against me.” Alduin turns to the nord heroes.
“You can try beast, but you won’t succeed.” Hakon jumped at the chance to retaliate. “You will die this day!”
“We shall see mortal scum.”
Alduin got ready to shout but all four were a step ahead.
“JOOR!”
The heroes blasted Alduin with Dragonrend. The temporarily mortal dragon screamed in pain as the three warriors rushed him with weapons ready to strike. They landed blows around his neck and body all the while Felldir was unleashing a lightning storm on him. Alduin swatted the three away as he roared, which caused Felldir to stop his attack and stumble back. The three landed on their back as the Dragonrend wore off. Alduin took to the skies and grabbed Hakon with his claw flying high up in the sky.
“Keep your head, we can’t win if we don’t work together.” Barix had to assure her.
It did little good as Hakon slammed into the ground as a now lifeless body. Alduin swooped down again heading straight for Gormlaith. The dragonborn had to push her away as Alduin breathed fire at their former location. Before Alduin flew passed the immediate area Felldir shot a lightning bolt at him hitting his side. that strike did little more than give the almighty dragon a bad rash. Barix took off his bow and arrow’s, handing them to Gormlaith as he was about to charge a spell.
“Gormlaith, take these and aim for his wings.” She didn’t hesitate as he conjured a daedric bow.
Arrows flew at Alduin mostly hitting his neck or wings. Others did nothing but scratch him or flat out miss. His next target was the mage who continued to shoot fire bolts at him. Alduin was able to dodge using some last second aerial moves but couldn't with others. At this rate Felldir knew he couldn’t outrun or evade the inevitable. He charged one last lightning bolt as Alduin attacked with a thu’um.
“KRII!,” As the dragon shouted the mage let loose his magic.
The bolt skidded across Alduin face leaving a bleeding scar. The shout hit Felldir and he fell back, not able to hold himself up. Alduin landed awkwardly on top of the mage crushing him with ease. The arrows stopped as Gormlaith started running at the beast. Barix grabs her.
“Let me go he must die!”
“Do you want to die before he does?” The question made her stop. “You will stay here and use the bow, understood?”
“What about you?”
“I will face him head on.”
With that the dragon warrior rushes Alduin, axe and shield in hand. Alduin sees this and launches his head forward to try and bite his mortal foe who dodges to the side. Barix swung his axe but only managed to make a shallow cut in the dragon’s snout. Alduin shifted much too quickly as he grabbed Barix with his mouth and slammed his jaws down on the warrior. Barix could do nothing but scream as Alduin broke his legs making it seem like they were twigs. An arrow hit Alduin in the side. He tosses his meal to the side to focus on the current threat.
“Like I said dovahkiin, I will deal with you last,” Alduin starts walking toward Gormlaith. She stands there getting her sword ready, shaking in fear. “Foolish mortal, even in death you are no match for me.”
“YOL! TOO-”
A dagger struck the side of his snout interrupting the rest. Alduin breathed fire next to Gormlaith who only got minor burns from the heat. They both turned to see Barix standing, one dragonbone dagger in hand, his armor was half gone. There was no blood present only a bright glow was left that quickly faded. Both were speechless.
“Surprised, Alduin? Like I said you are a heartless and ignorant beast. That was called Mora’s Boon, it heals me and restores me to normal. And this one is called Secret of Protection.” Barix was enveloped by a green light that faded to a green outlining around him. “Looks like you should have spent more time getting to know your enemy than killing other’s.”
“YOL! TOOR! SHUL!”
A giant fire ball came bursting forth hitting Alduin in the side crippling his wing and burning his whole side. Barix took the opportunity to jump on the screaming dragon and stab it wherever he could jam his dagger. Gormlaith aided the hero by precision arrow shots trying not to hit Barix. Alduin, mostly annoyed by these now futile attempts at hurting him, decides on immediate action.
“VEN! GAR! NOS!”
The cyclone headed straight for Gormlaith, who had little time to react before getting hit, was thrown a hundred feet away. A snap from that distance was still clearly heard signaling the dragonborn was the only one left. Alduin was able to shake him off enough where he could swing his tail to hit the victim back even further. Barix hastily got to his feet in great pain. There was a gash in his side, not too deep thanks to the protection spell.
Alduin was close and getting closer. Barix held out his hand casting a red spell aimed at the dragon. As the gash on his side disappeared a similar scratch appeared on Alduin. The dragon noticed but paid no mind to the new annoyance on his side.
“That was called Nightingale Strife, if you wanted to know.”
“Your mortal powers, joor wymn, were amusing but now they are starting to annoy me. I think I will just kill you know.”
“Oh, I see. So I’m more of a threat than you thought. How interesting.” Alduin put on angry frown while Barix displayed a smirk. “If it’s all the same to you I’d rather finish you off myself.”
“I was thinking the same thing, drec lig uke.”
“MUL! QAH! DIIV!”
Barix took off his remaining armor just as spectral dragonbone armor replaced it. He then summoned two daedric swords. “Now Alduin, let’s finish what we started in Helgen!” He dashes forward much faster now that he wasn’t wearing any real life heavy armor. Alduin returned with a fire breath at Barix.
“FUS!”
It was enough to push the fire back into the dragon’s mouth producing minor burns while he jumped on top of his head. Before a killing blow was made Alduin tilted his head making Barix fall to the ground. He rolled to the side before becoming another meal. He slashed the dragons head before standing and delivered more strikes to the head. Again he got on top of his enemies body and dug the two swords into the base of the neck. Cries of pain was is all that could be heard as Barix twisted the swords in place. Dispersing one sword he shot sparks in the wound to double the effect. He jumped off as he cut one of alduins wings clean off.
“FUS! RO! DAH!”
Alduin was pushed back by the force which doubled as a ripple effect tearing open some of the wounds exposed to the shout. His cries became rapidly softer but soon enough he stopped moving entirely as did any sound effects. Barix cautiously approached him from the front, a terrible idea. Alduin opens his eye’s.
“I may not win this day…but…neither will you.” He was not even audible compared to his former self.
“Wrong again, Skyrim and all of Tamriel are safe from you and your followers. I’ll see another day when you won’t.”
Alduin looked passed Barix for a split second. He was only able to think this was suspicious for a second before-
“FUS!”
Being lighter with all the dragonbone armor off, Barix flew back stopping to hung in the air. This was very curious as no one can randomly fly at will or at all for that matter. Upon further inspection he looked down to see a tree limb sticking out of his abdomen. He looked back up in the first stage of shock to hear Alduin laugh and Tsun approach him.
“Dragonborn, you have done well but your destiny is not fully complete. You must go back to Skyrim, we will handle Alduin from here.” Barix tried to find the words of resistance but found none.
“NAHL! DAAL! VUS!”
A light clouded his vision and he fell unconscious instantly. He awoke to a forest near a boulder that looked like it could be the start of a cave. The memories and pain came flooding back to him. He put his hand to the now open wound and felt a warm liquid pour out of him. Trying to sit up only resulted in more intense pain even though that seemed impossible. Every second passed he felt weaker. Then reality hit him like a giant’s club…he was going to die. He was ready for this before he left for Sovngarde. As Barix closed his eyes he looked back at his life. The happiness and sadness, the training, friends met along the way, the many adventures he had, and the laughs he shared…no regrets. He was ready for Sovngarde.
...
Voices are heard nearby. Barix tries to call for help but still had no strength to speak. There was a possiblility he could make it out of this alive. Sure he was ready to die but if living was an option he would take it in a heart beat. If he wanted to live he needed to use all his strength.
“Aauugh!” That one cry of pain felt like another tree in his rib cage. The voices didn’t seem to notice. They could help and he could live, and he was holding back. Not anymore, “AAUUGH!” Barix was about to pass out as we writhed in miserable pain. The voices drew closer. Within seconds six small figures came into view but they were too blurry to make out. He lifts his hand towards the group.
The six ponies stood frozen in place. They didn’t know what to do, it’s not like they’ve ever seen something like the creature in front of them. As they stared at this unfamiliar being one of them decided to step up and help. Applejack was the first to respond.
“Come on y’all, we need ta help this thing.” They ran up to and surrounded it.
“Does anypony know what to do?” The normal pink happy pony couldn’t help but frown at the site in front of her.
“Of course, ah dealt with this type of wound before. We need to cauterize it to stop the bleedin’. Do you girls see any metal nearby?”
A quick glance around told the group that no such metal was near and they didn’t have time to be fruitlessly searching for any. Rainbow notices the thin appendage rise slightly. It pointed down to it’s bottom half were some tan clothing was still present. Rainbow pulled out something from the end that looked like a handle.
“Wat out ish.” her voice being muffled by the knife in her mouth.
“Doesn’t look like any metal ah’ve ever seen but it will have ta do.” Applejack took the knife in hoof free RD’s mouth from the restriction. “But we still need a fire or a lot uh heat. Twi?”
“Sorry, I’m still not versed in magic of any kind that deals with combat or fire spells. I don’t even know of any spells that can produce a sufficient amount of heat.”
“I’m afraid I can’t be of any help either, darling.”
The group looked down to see the end of the limb move yet again. This time instead of lifting off the ground it turns over then begins to glow in the center of the smaller limbs at the end of the long appendage. Applejack even felt heat from it. She lowered the knife to the source and the creature grabbed it. Soon it turned red. The country mare pulled it from the grip not giving the creature a second to react before shoving the knife into the open wound. The ponies closest to the head covered their ears as a deafening cry came from the creature passing out afterwords.
“There now big fella, yer gonna be all right.” Applejack’s consoling didn’t have any effect on it but did for the other ponies present. She knew they weren’t done. “Alright y’all, we got the bleedin under control but we need to sterilize the area and wrap it up.”
“Oh, I know how to make an all-natural disinfectant. Fluttershy can you help me with gathering ingredients?” Twilight asked.
“Of course Twilight.” The canary mare replied. As they want off Applejack refocused on the wound.
“Ok, while they get that, we need to find us somethin to wrap the wound with.”
“What if we use this?” Pinkie produced a long scarf seemingly out of nowhere.
“Pinkie how did you…never mind, it’ll work.” Applejack knew not to look a gifted Pinkie in the mouth. Soon Twilight and Fluttershy came back with a muddy substance in tow. Twilight used her magic to spread it on both sides of the wound then applied the scarf. “And that’ll bout do it.”
“Now what?” Rainbow Dash was impatient.
“Not sure. Twi, do you have plan?” Applejack asked.
She sat for a minute and thought out the possibilities. Deep in thought she wondered about this world they were in, what it might contain, what harm it might have, and what creatures out there would consider them dinner. Once she was done thinking of several likely scenarios she looked at her friends.
“Ok, here’s what I propose. We stay here to watch over this… creature.” The girls didn’t like it and wanted to know why she thought of that idea. “Before you say anything I have several reasons for that choice. This behind us is like a cave where we can make a fire and camp out, Fluttershy and I found some food in the woods not to far from here, and as far as we know, we really are in another dimension. One where this creature is the only thing who knows the geography of the land. At least one that we know is kind enough that won’t hurt us.”
“If we leave who knows what we’ll find or what could attack us. We could get lucky and find something useful like a town or place to sleep, but I already consider us lucky for landing in a dimension where we can live. And I’d rather not push our luck especially if we have to watch over this creature for a time.”
Now the girls seemed to all agree. For the rest of the day they split into teams. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash patrolled the surrounding area from the skies, Twilight and Pinkie gathered food, and Applejack and Rarity looked after the creature. Applejack had a fire going by the time they all got back. It was starting to get dark after all.
“AJ, remind me to take you with me anytime we go somewhere new.”
“Awe shucks Rainbow, this ain’t nothin. Believe it or not ah used ta spend a lot of time in the wilderness with my papy.”
Twilight started to divide the food amongst the group making sure to set aside a seventh pile. “So AJ, how is it doing?”
“He.”
“Did you say something Fluttershy?”
“He…it’s a he. I can tell.”
“Huh, well that’s one mystery solved. Ok how’s he doing AJ?”
“Lot’s better. The bleeding completely stopped, the wounds starting ta close, and his heart beat is slowin down. At least ah hope that last thing is a good sign.”
“Already? Wow, what ever he is he can heal faster than any pony in Equestria. What about you Rainbow, anything good to report?”
“Yeah, me and Flutter’s found this tiny village. I don’t think anypony saw us so we can scout it out thoroughly tomorrow before entering just in case it’s dangerous.” Rainbow replied with much enthusiasm.
“Sounds good we should do that when we get a chance. For now let’s eat and settle down for some shut-eye. We should take guard shifts throughout the night in case something happens.”
“Good thinkin’ Twi. I think I’ll take first shift. I ain’t tired yet plus ah ain’t comfertable sleepin til I know what’s here.”
The others had no objections. They finished their meal of berries and mushrooms, they were tasteless but very much eatable. Most of them fell asleep right away. As Applejack stayed up a bit she could hear some weird noises in the far distance. Like growls or perhaps they were howls.
“Werewolves.” AJ turned to see the creature stare at her. “Those howls…they’re werewolves.”
“You can talk?” AJ said surprisingly.
“Actually I was surprised you could talk. It’s not everyday a creature like you is seen around here.”
“Could you tell me where here is exactly?”
“Yes, but I’d rather wait for your friends if it’s not too much trouble?”
“Oh no, of course. Ah can wait till mornin.” She heard the howls again. “Um, you said there was werewolves round here, but uh, what are they like?”
“If you’re worried they’ll harm you then I would say no. They should be friendly.”
“Ah’ll take your word for it. While you’re up…is there anything I can do to help heal ya faster?”
“Yes. Behind you.” AJ turns around, “The blue flower that’s on the ground over there, can you bring it to me?”
She ran the few feet to grab it and brought it over. He tried to grab the flower from the farm pony but it was clear the pain wasn’t going to let him do that so easily.
“Woah there fella, yer still hurt. Ah’ll give it to ya.” She held the mountain flower close to the injured man’s mouth as he ate it whole. “So what does this do?”
“This flower helps aid in the bodies healing process. It was only one but it was better than nothing. So where do you and your friends hail from?” At the end of the sentence he was feeling the pain worse than before. Groaning to try to restrain himself he began again. “On second thought forget that.”
“Ah guess ah can give ya some now but ah’d rather wait for us all to be awake and you ta heal up before we exchange pleasantries. We come from Equestria. Ah recon we traveled dimensions ta get here. You ain’t got ta say where we are. Ah can just hear it later when yer healed up some.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s no trouble.” A yawn escapes her. “I think I’ma hit the hay as well.” She wakes Twilight and before she falls asleep she informs her about the howls. Twilight herself didn’t get the opportunity to talk to the wounded before he fell asleep.
The morning comes with no shock or surprise to the ponies. In other words, a good start to the day. As Twilight gathers food with Rarity and Fluttershy, she goes over what to do in the following days and what the creature could tell them besides ‘the howling is no big deal’. According to AJ he didn’t give a name last night. She hope to change that today.
What seemed like halfway through the day he awoke to the six curious ponies gathered near him. They noticed him wake up then ran to help in any way they could. He wasn’t able to sit up yet, but he was still able to speak well enough so they just talked to him while he was on the ground.
“My name is Twilight Sparkle. These are my friends, Applejack,”
“Howdy.”
“Rainbow Dash,”
“Hey, what’s up.”
“Pinkie Pie,”
“Hiya!”
“Rarity,”
“How do you do.”
“And Fluttershy”
“Um…h-hi there.”
“Nice to meet all of you formally. My name is Barix. As thanks for helping me I shall provide any answer you seek, be it a question I have an answer for. So, Twilight, if I may, what is your first question?”
“Where are we?”
some kind of marker or town to help.”
“There’s a village not too far off from here.” Rainbow had no idea how helpful that was but anything was something at least.
“Really? Describe it to me.”
“Well lets see. There was this building in the middle with some banners in the front that had a picture of an elk’s head and there was a small cemetery at the edge of it.”
“No way… I can’t believe we’re that close.” Barix let out a small chuckle but immediately regretted doing so.
“What are we close too?”
“My house, it’s not too far away from here. Who’s the fastest one among you?”
“That would be me.” Rainbow Dash proclaimed with great confidence. “What do you need me to look for?”
“Just past the town is a single house, next to that is a small dirt trail that leads to another one. Knock on that house’s front door. Anyone who answers, ask them for Lydia and tell her to come here. Got it?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back in a jiffy.” With that she took off flying toward the village leaving behind her signature rainbow trail.
“What now?” Twilight asked.
“Now we wai-”
Barix stopped speaking and appeared to be listening for something. The five ponies couldn't hear and were getting curious as to what he heard.
“We have a problem, bandits are moving our way.” Barix was rather calm, unlike the others.
“Bandits!”
“What are we going to do?”
“Stop talking.” Barix demanded them and immediately they were quiet. Foot steps and faint talking were soon heard. Barix signaled the group to gather close. They didn’t hesitate. Soon enough two bandits walked into view.
“I told you it took off over here.”
“And yet there’s nothing.”
“But that thing wasn’t natural. There has to be a…,” the bandit froze at the sight of five ponies somewhat similar to the one that flew off, “well well well, look at this. I told you there was something here.”
The second bandit turns to see the ponies, some looked scared while the lavender and orange one took a protective stance. He looked passed them to see a person, clearly injured, laying on the ground.
“Hey boss, we got something!” the bandit spoke loudly as he looked over from where they both came from.
“Applejack,” she turned to the injured Barix trying to turn himself over, “get me up.”
“Woah now sugarcube, you shouldn’t move with that injury.”
Applejack tries to get Barix fully on the ground again as three others emerge into sight. One was wearing a suit of tough looking silver armor that had black fur on the edges.
“Would you look at this, a bottom feeder and his ugly horses.”
That hit Rarity hard enough that she started crying on the spot.
“Is that thing crying?” the leader sounding a little shocked.
“It won’t be crying for long boss.” One of the bandits began to unsheathe his sword. “I bet it’ll make some good breakfast.”
“Those boots look good too, I think we’ll be taking those as well.” one other bandit chimed in.
“Applejack,” once again she turned her attention to the wounded Barix, “get… me… up… Now!” She turned her head once more to the slowly advancing enemy. She and her friends took on and army of changelings and did pretty well given the circumstances. But she had no idea what these new enemies were capable of and finally decided to help Barix to his feet. She got around his arm and pushed him up. With some groans of pain, audible to even the bandits, he was able to stand. AJ noticed that he picked up the knife before standing up completely. He made his way to the front of the group and held out his knife. “Alright…I’m going to tell you this once,” he looked directly at the leader, “leave us...or die.”
Everything was quiet as the bandits stopped their advance. The leader was more than a little surprised and blown away by this. He couldn't help but laugh at his attempt.
“Do you really think you stand a chance? Greten, send this fool to Sovngarde.”
With that the bandit to his right ran up to Barix trying to slice him in half with a sword. Barix push the sword to the side with his knife, punch the bandit in the face, and stabbed him the heart twisting it in the body once fully in. Barix pulled it out and the bandit fell to the ground. The others were speechless as to just how fast he was taken down. Barix didn’t show much of the excruciating pain he was in but knew he could only take so much before he would faint. He tried using any of his powers but to no avail. He was too weak to use them in his state. The bandit leader obviously had enough.
“Kill him!”
The bandits all rushed him. The right one was the first to come close. As he swung straight down Barix raised his hand and angled the knife so the weapon would miss him slicing down his side. He then hit the bandit with the hilt of the knife as hard as his wound would allow. The bandit stumbled back with a bleeding nose. The next two came from the front and the front left. ‘Too easy’ . It was all Barix thought before he set his on the go plan in motion.
“YOL!”
A fire-ball left Barix and hit the left bandit, he dropped screaming in agony. In one fluid motion Barix grabbed the weapon arm of the other bandit, tripped him, twisted the arm, put the bandit to the ground, crouching down on one knee, and stabbed him in the face. Blood spurt out when he removed it and threw it into the neck of the bandit who was partially on fire, silencing him. He looked over at the last bandit getting up from the hit to the face.
“VEN!”
A small cyclone formed and hit the bandit who was sent flying into a tree. A snap indicated his death. The leader stood there completely shocked at what he saw. Sadness from his lost followers, fear of the seemingly frail person, and the realization the dragonborn is in front of him all boiled into anger and hate. He took the greatsword from his back and walked to Barix. Although he tried, Barix couldn’t move at all now. He closed his eyes as the bandit leader went in for the kill.
“Ah don’t think so partner.” Barix opened his eyes to see Applejack kick the bandit away. “There ain’t no way we’re gonna let ya touch a hair on his body.”
The leader composed himself from the kick but Pinkie Pie had her cannon ready. She shot a concentrated round of confetti that hit him in the stomach. He hunched over but when he looked up the pink pony was replaced with a lavender one who threw dirt in his eyes. The bandit walked backward tripping over Fluttershy. That fall to the ground was the last straw for him. Rarity was using her magic to wrap him in vines but he broke through easily.
A wave of his hand smacks the fashion pony away. Applejack went in for another kick but was met with a kick from the bandit into her gut breaking a rib. He walked past her towards Barix to be blocked by Pinkie Pie. She readied her cannon but this time he kicks it aside before it fired. He swung his greatsword at her but she ducked out of the way. She went in for a punch to the face but hurt herself against the armor. The bandit leader picked her up by the neck and flung her to the nearest tree leaving her too badly hurt to move.
Twilight used her magic to levitate as many tree branches as she could and strike the bandit with them. They did nothing to him as he made his way to the scared pony. A hard punch to the face put her in an unconscious state. As Fluttershy didn’t know what to do the bandit had free range with Barix he walked up to him and readied his sword. All Barix could think about was how badly the others must be hurt. The bandit was about to swing his weapon but suddenly felt pain in his leg. He screamed and looked down to see an arrow pierce a weak part of his armor. Running was then heard but all Barix could see was another persons legs before he past out.
...
Barix awoke in a familiar place, it was his room in his house. It took a second for all the memories to catch up to him but he remembered the fight with Alduin all the way to the ponies he met along with the bandits. He checked his wounds but found he had none. Was it a dream? Barix walked downstairs and straight to the front door. Once open Lydia is seen walking towards the entrance but stops at the sight of a fully healed Barix with basic clothes on.
“My thane, I’m glad to see you’re awake and healthy.” Lydia sound both surprised and relieved but Barix ignored that.
“Lydia you have no idea the dream I had, first I went to Sovngarde to kill Alduin-”
“Barix-”
“With some help I succeeded and was sent back here only severely wounded and not to far away-”
“Barix-”
“Then these funny creatures showed up and helped me but-”
“Barix!” Barix finally stopped talking and looked at Lydia with a ‘what’ expression. “Behind you.”
Barix turned to see five different colored ponies sitting at the table in the next room. A lavender colored one steps into sight. “It’s not a dream and we’re really here.”
Barix sat on the end of the dining table with his newly met friends. They were talking about what their next step was going to be while he just sat there. Lydia had left for business in the next town. Barix had found out he was only unconscious for a few hours as Lydia killed the bandit and administered some health potions on the spot. As to who put cloths on him, he felt that was something he didn’t need to know. It wasn’t long until the new ponies came to the conclusion that they might be in Skyrim for a while, which meant they needed answers. Twilight was the first to speak up on that subject.
“Barix can we continue our session from before?”
“Sure, it’s only fair that I provide any answers I can. What else did you want to know?”
“First we need to know if we can stay here for the time being since we don’t have anywhere else to go.”
“I can do that, provided all of you pull your weight and don’t mind sleeping in the same bed.”
“Neither should be a problem, but can I ask what did you have in mind for us.”
“Well a house like this cost gold to maintain for that I must go on daily missions and I may require assistance at any given time.”
“We should be able to help with anything, right girls?”
“A course we can, Ah don’t want ta be a bother anyway,” Applejack agreed.
“We each have our own talents darling, no matter what I’m sure we can find something to help with,” Rarity added.
“That’s good to hear, now what other questions do you have?”
“Well the howls brought up a key issue. We don’t know what new enemies we have or what other creature would have us as a snack. Then those bandits brought the question of ‘are you going to eat us’,” saying Twilight was nervous about saying that would be an understatement. Barix laughed at that a bit.
“I can assure you that you have nothing to fear from me or Lydia. Only those who are more savage or in other cases bandit’s who are going hungry would even think of you as food. But as for enemies… Twilight am I too assume correct that you are the 'primary reader' of your group?”
“Yeah that's right. She's the egghead of the group.” which was then followed by half the ponies giving Rainbow Dash a nasty look.
“Then I shall give you everything I have on creatures and undead in Skyrim. As for now the main enemies you want to look out for are vampires, draugr, werewolves, trolls, and dragons. For anything else all I can say is keep your distance and you should be fine.”
“That’s good to know.” Twilight tried to show enthusiasm. There's usually a lot more deadly creatures in Equestria but most of them were in the Everfree Forest.
“What exactly are these draugr anyway? Also what are vampires and werewolves?” Rainbow asked.
“In short they will kill you without hesitation. You will get experience on them later on.”
“You mean you’re going to send us to fight against these monsters!?” Rarity as dramatic as ever.
“How do you think I was able to fight off those bandits in the state I was in. But you don’t need to worry, I will be doing most of the work. I just need some of you with me for the small things.”
“Oh thank goodness.” Relief washing over Fluttershy who was barely audible to the others.
“Wait so we don’t get to fight or nothing? We’re just coming along as some errand pony? You know what that is? Boring!” Rainbow was mad.
“I can teach you to fight if you want but it will have to wait until later on. Do you have any other questions Twilight?”
“Just two more, I remember the bandit said he’d eat us hinting that they were carnivorous, does that mean you are too?”
“Twilight, how rude. Barix is offering us a place to stay while all we have to do is some chores and here you are again insinuating he’s a pony eater again!” Rarity scolded her friend.
“What-no it’s not like that, not at all!”
“Oh I see what you mean. You want to know if I have anything you can eat and digest properly.”
“Yes!” Twilight turned to Rarity with an annoyed and upset frown.
“Oh um…my apologizes darling. That was very unlady like of my and I shan't do it again.” Rarity said.
“(sigh) It’s alright just please think next time.”
“You know, you girls usually say that kind of thing to me.” Rainbow threw her two cents in.
“That’s cause ya don’t think before ya open yer snout.” Applejack turned back to Barix as Rainbow stuck her tongue out at Applejack briefly. “So do you?”
“I do have some now but I will need to stock up soon. Remind me later on what you can eat and I'll get it next time I go shopping for supplies. What was the last question?”
“Well when you did that…shout thing I could feel you were using very power magic. I was wondering if you could teach it to me.”
“No.”
“…Oh… ” Twilight sounded disappointed.
“Don’t be sad Twi, Ah’m sure he’s got a good reason fer it.” Applejack implied.
“I do… you can’t learn it.” They all looked at him as if he had just grew seven more heads. “That is a very ancient magic that comes from dragons. The only reason I am able to learn it is because I am the dragonborn, a being created by the gods with the blood and soul of a dragon. My apologizes for not being able to help.”
“No it’s fine,” Twilight sounded less sad now, “I’m more surprised that there is a type of magic that I can’t learn. Well, um, that’s it for me, girls do you have anything you want to ask?” They couldn’t think of anything at the moment. “Ok so is there anything we need to know?”
“Yes, I will need all of your body measurement’s.”
“Why do you need that?” Twilight asked.
“If you’re going to stay here, even for a short time, you will need to be protected. Once I figure out what you will be best at I will make you some custom armor.”
“Yes! This I can get into.” Rainbow was excited at the sound of having some real armor.
“Eh hem, I believe I can help with both size and talents for everypony.” Everyone looked to Rarity. “I still remember the measurements for the dresses I made for the gala," back to Barix, "I can even tell you everything you need to know about each of us in order to make the right set.”
“Is that so? If that’s the case then I can get started right away.”
“And I shall help you, besides I don’t want anypony to look like a disaster. Which way do we go?”
“Follow me.” The two got up but before Barix left the room he addresses his guests, “Ok, now make yourselves at home. Lydia should be come back soon so until then don’t leave past eye sight of the house.”
He led Rarity to the back of the house. Opening the latch on the floor he began to climb down a small ladder leading the way to the basement. The heat and dark contrast of the place made it fell like a dark ages armory, which want far off. It gave Rarity a chill down her spine as well as some new ideas for a new line when she returns home.
“I’m assuming you don’t have any other way to get down there.”
“No sorry. If you want I can carry you down.”
Rarity was hesitant at first.
“That would help.” She got onto his back and held onto his shoulders immediately noticing his well toned muscles.
They climbed down into the basement. Rarity got off and looked around. True to its looks it was darker than upstairs, but was still bright due to all the small cone torches around on the walls. There was a long elegant shelf in the back of the room with nine different shrines on it evenly spaced. On the end of the elegant shelf was a small table with a few chair’s and some writing materials on it. There were weapons of all sorts adorning the walls.
In the center next to a support beam was a manikin shaped like Barix that was half covered in tan-ish armor. It looked similar to the armor he had on the day they met but… stronger. Rarity followed Barix as he walked through a doorway. She saw a forge with a smelter to the side along with various metals, furs, and bones inside shelves carved into the stone walls. Everything was neatly organized and separated. Safes and chests were left on the ground inside their own holes. To the left was a tanning rack and the right was a grindstone and a bench.
“Alright before we get started you should be aware of the different materials for making armor and weapons.”
“Just one question…these furs…they didn’t belong to anything like me or my friends…right?”
“Still skeptical huh?”
“Oh please, don’t take it the wrong way darling, but if you are exposed to something as barbaric as what you did in the forest then you would understand where I’m coming from.” Barix couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
“If it helps all these furs belonged to something that would see you as a meal.”
“Not really… maybe a little.”
“I don’t expect you to trust me right from the start, I still don’t trust you or your friends fully, but I know that trust is always earned not given and I intend to earn yours.”
“Wow… that’s very respectful of you.” A slight pause was held as Rarity’s cheeks turned the slightest bit pink. It was too dark for Barix to see it. “Well enough small talk, tell me what we have to work with.”
“On this side are all the materials for light armor. The higher you go the better quality armor but with that comes more weight.” The dragonborn began going from the bottom up as he described the different materials. “This shelf has the pelts for fur, hide and leather armor. In that order is the better quality. Next is the moonstone and malachite, used for making elven and glass armor, same order of quality. The next is in between the two, it’s nothing but thinner and lighter version of steel called plated armor. Lastly are the dragonscales, used to make dragonscale armor. That's it for light armor. Over to this side-” he starts at the bottom again.
“These are for heavy armor, above all else they will be the thing that's keeps you from dying. Now on the bottom are iron and steel, the basics of heavy armor. Next are the dwarven and orcish armors, dwarven are the bright orange and orcish are the dark green. With this next shelf is ebony armor, but when you have an ‘extra ingredient’ and you treat the metal differently you get daedric armor. I’ll tell you what the extra item is later if you really want to know, but I'm telling you now, you won’t like it.” Rarity grimaced at the thought of having to add blood or something awful to it. “For the best at of all dragon bones for dragonbone armor. As you can tell I don’t have any more bones but what you saw out there is essentially what its turns out to be.”
“Now as for these,” Rarity looked on as Barix pulled out chests on each side of the room. In one was bright blueish-white rock, the other a silver looking ingot. “This blue one is stalhrim, it’s about the same as ebony but weighs less. The silver is actually quicksilver you would use this with ebony and steel to make Nordic armor. It’s a good balance between orcish and dwarven. Now I don’t expect you to memorize everything but – ”
“So for light armor in order is fur, hide, leather, elven, modified steel, glass, then dragonscales. For heavy armor it’s iron, steel, dwarven, Nordic, orcish, ebony, stalhrim, daedric, and dragonbone. Is that right?” Barix was a little blown away by the white mare. Never before had he seen or heard of a blacksmith prodigy like this, not ever himself.
“… Well… next time I won’t underestimate you.”
“Oh come now darling, memorizing metals is no different from memorizing colors of thread. When I think about it, it’s no very hard at all. Am I to assume that the weapons are the same way as well?”
“Mostly, there are some exceptions to the order but for the most part the order is the same.”
“I see. Very well now that the materials are out of the way let’s get to the plans on what pony will get which armor set.”
Barix put the chests away as Rarity walked to the table. Once he got there he saw Rarity already working on rough sketches of her friends. The 'rough' sketch looking very neat and pristine.
“Since you know them best what are your thoughts?”
“Well Applejack would be the most obvious. She is the strongest of us so she would get some heavy armor. She’s not bad in a fight either so it would need to be high class.”
“Some ebony armor then?”
“Yes. She would look best in it, you know give her that dark look to scare the enemy.” She begins to draw the armor sets on the pictures of her friends. “… The metal’s keep their color in the making process right?”
“Yes – well except for glass it comes out looking like that.” He pointed to a glass sword that was hanging on the wall. Rarity lit up like the sun.
“That is simply beautiful and elegant! And the color, oh the color! This is a must for Fluttershy.”
“Really?”
“Oh yes, poor dear is fragile at times so she has to be protected. It may be heavy for her, even with it being light armor, but she doesn’t fly much anyway. She simply must have it.”
“Ok. Speaking of flyer's what will Rainbow Dash get?”
“Hmm. That’s a tough one… ok I’ll put the facts down and you can decide the set. She can fly very fast, actually she is the fastest pegasus in existence. She is also pretty good at fighting. But without a doubt her greatest physical attribute is her speed while flying.”
“Then I’d say she would do well with…Nordic armor.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, here’s why. Rainbow Dash likes to push herself am I right?”
“Like you wouldn’t believe.”
“Then she shouldn’t have a problem getting her wings stronger while being protected that well.”
“Oh I see. Ok so that leaves Pinkie, Twilight, and me. … I don’t think Twilight would go for armor though. She is the most powerful out of the group, in the way of magic at least, and she can create a shield that not even the lord of chaos can break. It just wouldn’t seem practical.”
“I see… in that case we’ll need to modify some robes for her. If she’s not going to get armor I’ll just get some heavy enchantments on the robes.”
“You can do that?”
“Yes there are many different enchantments that can be put on armor and cloths to help, but that’s getting off topic.”
“Yes of course. Now about Pinkie… … I’ve got nothing.”
“There’s nothing you can tell me about her.”
“Uh let’s see… she love parties, making friends, and having fun. I don’t now how strong she is or if she is any good in a fight.”
“That’s it?”
“I don’t know what else to say, she’s just random. What could you put on that?”
“I guess the basic steel will have to do. What about you, what do you think would suit you best?”
“Stalhrim.”
“Are you sure about that? It is heavy armor after all.”
“I shall be fine. I may be a lady but that doesn’t mean I don’t have the strength to do what needs to be done. Besides I have some...plans for it.”
“Alright then. How are the drawings coming along?”
The elegant mare showed him the drawings. They came out rather decent and detailed enough for a novice blacksmith to make the set a reality.
“Good now I have only one more thing to check.”
“What’s that?”
“Step down for a second and give me your hooves.”
She got off the, sat on the ground and held out her fore hooves. Barix grabbed them and lifted her up in the air until she was standing on her hind legs with fore legs up just past is shoulders. Her head reached just below his head.
“WHA-WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING!!!” She screamed at the top of hear lungs at the act he was doing… or what he was going to do.
“Ow! Stop screaming, I’m just measuring you to get an estimate of how much metal I’ll need.”
“Oh… well why didn’t you just say so… ” the over-dramatic mare looked to the side as Barix inspected her legs, neck and body. The longer this went on the redder Rarity got. “Um… how much longer are you going to be? I don’t feel very comfortable.”
“What?” Barix looked right at her and saw the red. He blushed a little himself then put her down immediately once he realized what he was doing. “I’m sorry I didn’t know that it was like that.”
“It’s fine I guess… lets just-” She stopped when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“No it’s not. I do apologize for my ignorance and if I ever make you feel that way again I want you to tell me. I never want you to always be looking over your shoulder or view me as one of those types of people. Again, from the bottom of my heart, I apologize for my actions.”
Rarity looked into his eyes and didn’t know what to say. She was so taken back that she started crying and went in for a hug.
“I forgive you darling.”
“That’s good to know.” They relinquished the hug. “Well I was able to get an estimate of the metal, only thing is we will need more ebony and steel.”
“Is there a market nearby where we can get them?”
“Yes, it takes a few hours to walk there so we’ll need to go now if we want make it back by night fall.”
“Then what are we waiting for let’s get moving. I certainly don’t want to stay outside with whatever is out there.”
The two got out of the basement and some shouts were heard from the front of the house. When they came to the front they stood at the doorway to see utter chaos. Twilight was in the middle of the table levitating about ten books and seemingly reading all of them. Streamers were hung everywhere of every color. Pinkie and Fluttershy were in the middle of hanging some more. In the middle of it all was a sword battle. Applejack and Rainbow were taking swings at each other. They each had a sword in their mouths, Applejack had a skyforge steel sword, and Rainbow a nordic sword. The pegasus flyer was the first to see Barix dropped the sword.
“Barix!” Everypony stopped what they were doing and looked at the dragonborn with fear in their eyes, as did Rarity. He just look around at what they were doing. He noticed the sheathe for the skyforge steel sword on the table.
“I’ll need this… and this.” Barix said as he picked up the sword and the sheathe. He moved to the front door grabbing a satchel. “Alright Rarity let’s get going.” It took the mare a second to process this before she actually started moving. “Now me and Rarity are going to a village for supplies, do me a favor and don’t kill each other while I’m gone.” The two walked out the door.
“You’re not going to stop them?”
“They’ll learn not to touch the weapons when they cut themselves.”
Rarity thought this teaching method a tad on the barbaric side but didn’t press the issue. He strapped the sheathe to his side as the pair start walking and soon she broke the silence.
“Um…I don’t mean to complain but you don’t happen to have any faster means of transportation do you. Preferably one that involves less walking.”
“I have one but you might not like it.”
“We shall have to see now won’t we.”
“Ok then, here it is.” Barix held out his hand and soon a black cloud appearing out of nowhere. It grew bigger in seconds until it was twice the size of the caster. Rarity grew a little nervous and stepped back when a black horse with red eyes came strutting out.
“Is this your… friend?”
“It may be hard to believe for you but horses are used as transportation here. This one is actually dead but serves as a spirit to aid others. She's called Shadowmare. We can ride her if it's not too awkward for you.”
“No… I should be fine.” She looked up to the sky. “We’d better get a move on anyway.”
The two rode faster now and reached the village in no time. Barix stopped just inside the village next to a blacksmith. They both got off Shadowmare then he pulled out a small coin bag from the satchel.
“Here’s some coin, you go to the blacksmith and ask for some ebony and steel. Just get everything that you can with this. I’ll be in another store to see what they have.”
“Alright darling, don’t take too long now.” She took the bag in her magic and walked off.
Barix left her to shop will he entered the store across from the black smith. He knew the owner so they got to catch up for a minute. The dragonborn learned that their claw was stolen again as he was buying some metals. Barix said he would look into the theft soon and left with some new materials. When he was stepped out-
“I SAID LET GO OF ME!!! BARIX HELP!!!”
He rushed to the shouts and saw rarity being carried off by a guard.
“Hey! What going on here!?”
“Mister this is none of your concern just keep walking.”
“I am Barix the Dragonborn, Thane of Whiterun and I demand to know what you are doing to my friend!”
“What! Thane I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you. This creature was making a mess of the blacksmiths materials for overcharging on steel and ebony ingots.”
“What? Rarity is this true.”
“I wouldn’t need to if he wasn’t-.”
“Rarity…one you don’t ever mistreat anyone because of that. Two how much was he charging you?”
“150 bits for ebony and 20 for steel.”
“(sigh) Guards is there any way you can over look this incident?”
“…Well no harm was done but we can’t just let this go unpunished.”
“I should have about 350 coin in the bag she had. Is that enough to release her?”
“That'll do fine.” The guard holding the white unicorn put her on the ground and she ran to her saviour. They both walked off but instead of getting on Shadowmare they walked out while Barix whistled for the horse. They walked for a short time before Rarity broke the silence again.
“Barix I’m sorry fo-”
“I don’t want to hear it. I gave you a simply job, buy whatever you could with what you had and you couldn’t even do that.” The sad mare hung her head in shame. Howling was heard as they got somewhat far from the village. Barix grabbed Rarity and plopped her on the horse. “You’ll need to repay me later.”
“What about you? You don’t have any armor.”
“Don’t worry about me just hang on to Shadowmare and don’t let go understand?” Barix took off his satchel and sword and tied them around the horse. Rarity was about to object. “Understand!?” She nodded slowly. “Good. GET!” He smacked Shadowmare in the rear and it ran off as fast as it could. Worried mare held on tight and saw nothing but a slowly disappearing dragonborn.
It was dark within minutes. She ended up in front of the house with Lydia there taking her and the sword inside. It seemed like she already new what to do. Her friends were glad to see her safe and sound. Throughout the night the group couldn’t get one answer from Lydia and in the end were sent to bed. Rarity woke one time to hear a loud, raspy, breathing but too nervous to see what it was. In the morning they were greeted by Barix who seemed well and untouched. After a quiet breakfast the duo went back downstairs.
“Ok Rarity, I’m going to show you how to mold and create armor. The techniques are a little different for each type but are mostly the same. After I do this once you’ll take over got it?”
“Yes.” She said half heartedly.
As Barix heated and slammed away at the ebony metal Rarity took careful study and lots of mental notes. She noticed the handling methods and heat techniques he used, as well as the number of times he focused on section before moving forward to the next. Soon enough a helmet was formed that looked like it might fit one of her friends.
“Can you handle it now?”
“Right now?”
“Yes, like I said from now on I’m not going to underestimate you plus you still need to pay me back. Just keep working on Applejack’s set I’ll bring you some water later and some food when it’s time to eat.”
“If I can still say I’m truly sorry for my behavior the other day.”
“Actions speak louder than words.” He started to walk away. “I’ll expect her armor done by tomorrow.”
Rarity signed as she got to work. I’ll need to work harder than ever to win back his respect. She got to work as Barix left the basement. He found Applejack in the armory checking out the weapons on the walls.
“This is quite an impressive collection ya got here.” Applejack said.
“Just some pieces I’ve collected in my travels. Listen I’ve got your first mission.”
“Mission? Fer me?”
“Yes, you’ll be joining me in a task to retrieve and item in a bandit camp out.”
“Alright, I chance to test mahself already. When do we go?”
“We’ll depart tomorrow once Rarity is done with your armor set.”
“Nice. Well then I, better get prepared.” She grabs a sword in her mouth and walks out of the armory. “Ranbow, we’re ya, ee ever inished our round yeshterday!”
Once Applejack was gone Barix started thinking about what happened in Riverwood. In the small amount of time he never thought the mare would do something so out of line like that. Making a double take in his thoughts he decided to confront her.
“Rarity?”
“Oh…yes? Did you have something to tell me.” Rarity said as she stopped in the middle of her craft.
“I realized that I didn’t let you explain what happened. I apologize for that and will now hear your part of the story.”
“OK!” She seemed to excited to explain and clear up what really happened. “Well it went something like this–”
I turned to the outdoor worker and trotted up to see him. The place looked pretty basic, at least compared to the set up you have set up, and it was a little unkempt. But it looked as if there was plenty of metal to buy. The blacksmith was in the middle of crafting something so he didn’t see the me at first.
“(cough, cough) Um excuse me.”
“Oh sorry about that I…what in Oblivion are you?” The blacksmith said the last part with some disgust.
“That sounds insulting but I’ll save it as a question later.” I made sure to be keep that part to myself. “Well sir I’m hear to buy some metals from you, steel and ebony to be more precise.”
“…What are you supposed to be a kid in a costume or an mutated horse? Either way I’m not selling anything to something like you.”
“Uh…what…how could you say something so cruel?” I think I began to cry at this point. “I was just trying to –”
“I don’t care just take that ugly ass of yours off my property.”
“How dare you,” That was my snapping point, “all I wanted is some metal and then you degrade me for no reason! You want me out of here? You’ll have to make me leave!” I began to toss anything I could see. Ingots thrown back into the fire and armor into the river nearby.
“NO! Guards help!”
They were already halfway to grab me when most of the goods in the little shop were thrown out. They easily subdued me before I was carried away.
It was morning as the group was eating breakfast. Applejack was excited throughout the night and following morning because she was going on her first quest. At least she thought it was a quest. Barix had said this was pretty routine for him but she was excited none the less. The armor set wasn’t done yet so Barix decided to get Applejack’s weapon preference in the armory.
“Alright Applejack, we have to get you accustomed with weapons. The only way to do that is to try out all the weapons.”
“Well I already like ta use the sword. Can’t ah jus use that?”
“You can but I was told that you are the strongest out of your friends. You can take a sword as a backup but with the strength you have you would be more suited for a larger weapon. Like…this one.”
Barix took an ebony warhammer off the wall with both hands and set it on the floor. Even softly it made a loud thud.
“This an ebony warhammer. It’s not only long but it’s also one of the heaviest weapons able to be made. One end is used to smash and the other end is spiked for…other… needs. ”
He was a little stunned when the orange mare took the weapon in her teeth and picked it up with ease. She gave it a few swings.
“Ow uch doesh it iegh?”
“Um…about two hundred pounds.”
She put the weapon back down.
“There’s no way fer it ta be much use in mah mouth, especially with it’s long handle. Twilight! Are you still there!?”
Twilight makes here way into the room.
“Yes AJ?”
“Can ya do that fancy sticky spell on this here warhammer for me?”
“Ok. Is it your new weapon?”
“Sure is.”
“Sticky spell? What’s that?” Barix was curious at this new spell.
“It’s a spell that lets any object stay or ‘stick’ to any surface and detach if the one wielding the object doesn’t want to hold it any more.” Twilight explained.
“Oh ok. So you use it as a substitute because you have hooves instead of hands. Clever and useful.”
Twilight cast the spell on the hammer and went back to her books. Applejack touched the handle with her hoof and was able to pick it up with ease. She gave it a few more swings and it moved more easily and freely. Changing between hooves and swinging the weapon around almost looked natural for the country pony. Not much longer Rarity came up with AJ’s new armor. It was a perfect fit. Applejack couldn’t get her Stetson to stay on with the helmet so she decided to leave it behind for now. Barix secured an ebony sword along the side of her body and an ebony dagger on her fore leg. The warhammer rested right on her back with the spell to keep it in place.
“Am ah really gonna need all these?”
“You’d be surprised how many weapons I’ve lost throughout the years. I’ve got to get ready myself. I’ll call you when I’m done.”
Applejack left him to get ready. She went find Rainbow who didn’t appear to be in the house. All her other friends didn’t know were she was but AJ knew pegasus friend was jealous. Either way all her friends wanted her to keep an eye out for something they wanted. Twilight wanted any books in readable condition, Rarity wanted any and all metals and gems, and Pinkie wanted sugar and flour. Fluttershy was the only one who didn’t want anything. Barix was ready after that. He had on dragonscale armor. On his right was a mace, left was a sword, on his back was a bow and arrows and on both legs was a dagger, all dragonbone weapons. As they left and were walking down the road-
“Hey Applejack!”
They stopped to see Rainbow on the roof of the house.
“Knock’em dead for me will ya.”
“Sure will partner.”
With friendly smiles the two warriors then left. They only walked for a few minutes until Barix stopped.
“Somethin wrong, sugarcube?”
“Yes something is very wrong. I never informed my mentors that I was alive!”
“Oh yeah I fergot ya were on the edge a death when we found ya. But you can still do that later right?”
“…No I can do it now.”
“Beg yer pardon but how?”
“Look,” Barix pointed to a mountain, “They live up there. All I have to do is tell them.”
“We have to go all the way up there!?”
“No, I’ll just tell them. You may want to cover your ears.”
Applejack took a few steps back and covered her ears remembering just how loud the other shouts were the first time they met. She saw him take a deep breathe.
“FUS! RO! DAH!”
The shout was still loud enough to make her cringe and hold her head tighter. As she looked at the shockwave of energy, it seemed to weaken as it traveled toward the top of the mountain. For a minute they stood there without speaking. Barix stared at the mountain with careful eyes, focusing only on that. His country partner was about to speak up when something stopped her.
“DOV! AH! KIIIN!”
The intensity of it almost shook the ground but it put a smile on the warriors face.
“Sky above, voice within.” He made the same gestures that came to him as natural as breathing.
“What?” It was all she could say.
“That was the Greybeards. Powerful people who are masters of the voice just as I am. They live on the top of the mountain were they live in seclusion. All I did now was tell them I was alive…I left them on the idea I wasn’t going to come back.” Applejack saw this as a sign of respect. “Alright now let us not waste any time.”
On the way Barix informed Applejack on the mission. A claw had been stolen from these merchants and they need to get it back. Barix had dealt with these bandits before and said they were nothing close to a threat. Still Applejack was happy to be exploring an unknown place that was supposedly filled with danger. The trip was somewhat long. The multiple paths took them across a village and up a hill that got snowy as they climbed, even more so the higher they climbed.
Finally she saw it, Bleak Falls Barrow. The two stopped at a good distance away. AJ just watched as Barix took his bow and dropped the bandits that were outside with excellent precision. As they advanced up the steps Barix was checking the bandits and took things that were of greater value than most things on them; potions, jewels, and even some weapons. Some how they all fit inside his satchel. She made a mental note to ask about that later.
As they proceeded inside, the two saw some more around a fire at the far end of the room. The cow girl looked to dragonborn for a plan but found he was gone. She looked around to find him fighting one of them with the rest already on the ground. Applejack caught up to him with all the bandits dispatched. She copied his action this time, searching for anything that looked valuable and put it in her satchel. Hers seemed to be able to fit more than it could hold as well. Going deeper in the dungeon, the two were taking out bandits left and right. Barix noticed that the orange mare was taking out more bandit than himself. It seemed obvious in the end due to her strength and the way she swung the warhammer so easily, sometimes with one hoof.
They came to a point in some dank caverns when dead bodies were coming to life. Applejack was scared of this at first but found that they were slower and a little weaker then the bandits. Barix told her they were draugr, weaker undead creatures. Soon they came to a room with an open gate and a platform above it. There was a chest so Barix walked up to check it out. Applejack opened it but it was too late for the dragonborn to stop her and a small snap was heard. Barix grabbed her and jumped off the ledge. As they slammed onto the floor below, darts from the ceiling came down onto the spot in front of the chest.
“Oh mah Celestia, I’m so sorry Barix!”
“Uuhh…my back.” AJ got off him, where she just so happened to land, and helped him up. “Now I hope you know to check all chests before you open them.”
“Don’t worry you have mah word, ah won’t be that stupid again.”
They checked the chest now and found the claw inside along with some gold and some weapons. Applejack took them since Barix didn’t seem too interested in anything but the claw. The warriors were about to leave when they turned and saw seven bandits around the bottom floor. One took a step forward and Barix recognized him immediately as Avrel the Swift.
“Well look at this, and they say draugr are the only dead things walking.” Arvel started.
“I could say the same to you, thief. Last time I saw you was at the end of my sword.”
“HA! Don’t make me laugh. An amateur wound like that wouldn’t kill a child. Now I believe you have something that belongs to me.”
“I tried to spare you once to see if you’ll change your ways but since that answer is a no, you’re not getting this claw back.”
“Suit yourself dead man. Kill him and take the claw.” The bandits began running up the stairs at the command.
“VEN!”
The wind from the small cyclone blew out all torches in the room leaving it pitch black. Applejack heard a small whisper as she was about to run. Don’t move or you’ll die. She did just that and only that as she heard screams of pain, limbs being torn, and metal hitting metal. When it stopped she felt something pick her up. Green eye was all she could see before blacking out.
She awoke to find herself and Barix on a cart traveling through the forest. He was reading a book across from her but noticed she was up.
“Barix, what happened? Where are we?”
“I apologize for what happened back at Bleak Falls but if I didn’t we might not have been so well off right now. I won’t go into detail but I have a very special set of abilities. You might see them all in time.”
“…Ok then…ah won’t push the issue if it’s that bad but ah will have ta ask at some point. Fer now where are we goin?”
“To a city call Solitude. I have to meet someone.”
“Who?”
“A general, and a friend.”
The rest of the trip was quiet. AJ just got some sleep so the trip was very boring. She realized that she felt almost too rested.
“Um Barix…how long was ah out fer?”
“All night and the morning.”
“Why did ya do that, it’s not like ah would’ve told the others ya killed some bandits and that we’re next. After all I killed some maself.”
“…”
“Barix?”
“Please…I’ve asked not to press the issue…please.”
She could see a pain in his eyes and knew something happened and had to let it go. She changed sides of the cart and gave him a hug. Barix a little taken back by this. This was happening a lot lately.
“Ok ah won’t…but if ya ever need ta talk bout it ah’ll always be here fer ya, pinkie promise.”
He was confused by that last part but accepted the hug none the less. Not much longer they had arrived at the gates and it was getting dark. As they walked through town some of the guards whispered things that weren’t audible so AJ focused on the city itself. It was an elegant city that showed a lot of that high class froofroo stuff similar to Canterlot, that is, if the city was in a medieval time with monsters everywhere and humans instead of ponies. They walked to a castle and into a set of doors. The guards there were all too eager to let him in.
“Good to see you back dragonborn, he should still be inside.”
AJ could see two figures in the room ahead. As Barix walked forward she followed close behind.
“General,” the two looked up as Barix was taking off his helmet, “It’s good to see you again.”
They stood in place as if seeing a ghost.
“By the gods…is it…really you…Barix?”
“Yes it is general Tullius.”
The man walked, somewhat ran, over to Barix and gave him a great big hug.
“My boy it’s good to see you again. I thought you were gone for sure. But how, you and Alduin…did you…”
“We have much to discuss but I have to say I wouldn’t be standing here if it wasn’t for my new friends.” Barix looked to his current companion.
“Hi there.” Applejack greeted.
“Hello, so you helped my boy here. I owe you more than some gold or royal favors, I owe you my life. I hope my thanks will be enough for now.”
“Oh come on now, it was nothin.” She replied.
“Rikke, it is good to see you as well.” Barix said.
“Barix…I…” Rikke was still somewhat one the shocked end.
“It’s fine you don’t have to say anything,” Barix went over and hugged her, “I’m just glad to see some friendly faces.”
“Did you eat yet Barix? We can catch up during dinner.” General Tullius said.
“That sound good to me.” Barix replied.
-------------------------------------------------
Throughout the meal Barix got General Tullius caught up on what’s happened to him and about his new friends as well as telling Applejack about his war days in the legion.
“Oh so ya joined cause Tullius is yer pa right?” The country mare asked.
“No he’s not but we’ve been so close for so long he started to feel like a son to me. Mostly because of my ageing and his lack of. Let me ask you something miss, where do you come from? I don’t recall you mentioning that.” General Tullius asked.
“Oh right, we never did say that. Well me and mah friends come from the land of Equestria.”
“So how long will you be staying here in Skyrim?”
“Ahm not sure. Mah friend Twilight is trying ta learn all she can now and remember the spell that brought us here so we can get back but not much luck as of yet.” Applejack said half heartedly.
“It’s nothing that time won’t solve,” Barix interjected, “General I have come here for more than just a friendly hello.”
“The stormcloaks I presume. We’ve had little trouble with them since the death of Ulfric Stormcloak but our scouts are still reporting camps around Skyrim. If you want I can give you a map of their current locations.” General Tullius said.
“That sounds good, whenever I’m near one of the camps I’ll be sure to take them out.”
“Just do what you do best and I know you’ll get it done. For now it’s late so you can stay here.”
“Thank you general, we’ll leave again in the morning.”
General Tullius showed the two to a guest room were two beds laid. They settled down but Applejack couldn’t get to sleep. She kept going back to what happened inside of Bleak Falls Barrow. Finally she got the courage to ask the question.
“Hey Barix…are ya still awake?” She said rather softly.
“…yes.” He was quiet as well.
“Am sorry ta be a burden but I jus can’t help thinkin bout what happened in that dungeon.”
“…”
“Now Ah now ya don’t want ta talk bout it but ah can also tell ya don’t have anypo-…anyone ta talk ta bout it. Ahm not sayin that ah know what yer goin through but ah do know that it must be hard ta keep it locked away fer so long.”
“…”
“…Ok…ah won’t push the issue.”
“…I like to kill.”
“Oh…well that’s…” she turned in bed to see him but he was already sitting on the edge of it.
“I don’t just like it, I love it and I get a rush every time I kill. I’ve tried everything I can think of but there’s no way I can stop my feelings.” Applejack sat up with wide eyes at what she was hearing from this being who seemed so level headed. “…I’ve tried to focus on killing just the bad and it worked…for a time but…no matter what, it keeps coming back.” A few tears ran down his face. Applejack laid him down on the bed.
“It’s ok. Just cause you have these feelin’s doesn’t mean you are a bad…creature. Everyone has had bad thoughts at some point, no matter how good they are.”
Barix stop tearing up and laid there looking at Applejack.
“Tell ya what, you sleep right here fer the night. You could use some comforting anyway.”
Applejack pulled the covers over him and wrapped her forelimbs around Barix as they drifted of to sleep. Morning came as the two awoke to each other. With slight blushes the two fighters got up and went downstairs for breakfast. Barix and Tullius went over the map during the meal. When it was over they got their armor and left Solitude.
“So what’s the plan for these stormcloak fellers? Are ya gonna kill’em?”
“No.”
“Really? Ah’m kind of surprised ya aren’t.”
“Since we are far enough away from the city I can tell you what the plan is. The war is over but these idiots are too stubborn to give up, so we are just going to knock them down and hopefully push them out.”
“That’s good ta here but ah’m curious as ta why?”
“Of course, they want to fight but they do so from the wilderness and away from their loved ones. Every day they spend out here in the wild is another day they could spend with friends and family that are waiting back where they came from. It is our job to ‘convince’ them to leave, even if we have to do it the hard way.”
“Ya mean beatin the pulp outta them.” Applejack put on a sly grin.
“I like to call it tough love.”
“Does yer general friend know about this?”
“He knows I get rid of the camps but how I do it he does not know. Tullius might think it a good idea the way I dispose of the camps but I don’t dare press my luck like that. He is the general after all.”
“Ah can understand that. So where is this camp we’re headin to?”
“It’s on the way back home near a village called Dragon Bridge. Just a bit off the main road but not far.”
“Good ah can’t wait to get warmed up. Say, before we do that can we sell some stuff at that village ya mentioned? All the stuff we collected is kinda weighin me down.”
“Why didn’t you say so?”
Barix stops in the road, AJ does too. He snaps his finger and a demon looking entity appeared in front of the two. It looked nicely dressed though.
“Hello sir, how can I help today?” Sarcastic depression was dripping from it’s words.
“Wow nelly, who are you?”
“This is my demon butler. I use him to carry things I have collected and save them for later.” He turned his attention to the butler. “I’ll need two more satchels.”
“Of course sir.” The butler clapped his hands and the two satchels on Barix and Applejack were untied and two new ones tied themselves to the same spot. The country mare felt much lighter now. “Anything else I can do sir.” Still sounding ‘excited’.
“That’s it, you can go.”
“Oh joy.” It then disappeared.
“Ok, let’s get moving.”
After some time they passed the village and continued to the tree line. Applejack was struck with a thought.
“Can I ask ya somethin sugercube?”
“What is it?”
“If that butler guy can carry this fer you then why didn’t ya have it carry any potions or bandages or somethin? Ya know, so ya could heal yerself?”
“Simple, I rely on my skills in a tough situation. I believe that if I die at any point then I was destined to die then. After all, if I have to keep potions around to make sure I live then I’m not really good at what I do, that’s how I got as good as I am today. I either fight and live or die.”
“Inerestin. Not the mindset ah might have but it must be workin seein as yer still walkin right?”
“Indeed. The camp should be right over the hill here.”
The two stopped at a rocky edge and saw the camp. It was small with about twenty stormcloaks with tents to match. A larger tent was up with a table visible from their vantage point and on the other side was a blacksmith with his own little anvil. The odds were stacked against them ten to one and Applejack was getting nervous at the sight of the group.
“So…uh…what’s the plan sugercube?”
“We charge head first into the camp and knock’em out cold.” Barix had put on a mischievous grin.
“Ya kiddin…right?”
“Come on, Applejack. let’s have some fun.”
Barix hopped off the rock and ran forward.
“Celestia’s sake, do you want to die that bad!”
It was too late some of the stormcloaks had seen him.
“ENEMY SIGHTED. ALL HANDS TAKE ARMS!!!”
Barix had started swinging his fists at the incoming enemies. One by one they either staggered away or were knocked out. AJ soon joined him, not taking out her weapon, but charging and bucking her way around. Barix saw the leader of the camp come out of the large tent.
“FUS!”
A path was cleared as the group was thrown against each other. Barix ran threw and began to attack the leader. The leaders sword hit but could do nothing against the dragonscale armor. AJ had the same thing happen, the weak blades and arrows meant nothing to the well crafted second skin around her.
In a few minutes, mostly due to distractions, Barix took out the leader. He quickly made his way to his ally and got the stormcloaks away. They had managed to grab her and began to take off her armor until the dragonborn put a stop to that. The two had finally managed to put down all the stormcloaks. None had run away instead Barix and AJ had tied them up in groups starting with the ones that were still conscious. They were all dragged to the center of the camp as they swore at their captors.
“SILENCE!” Barix roared at the tied groups and they secede yelling as some more woke up. The way he yelled made Applejack think of Princess Luna. “The war is over you will no longer fight.”
“Says who, a milk drinker like you?” A random stormcloak yells out.
“No. The dragonborn says so.” The ones that were struggling stopped and the ones that were conscious looked up. “I will say this once and only once so listen up. You are fighting a battle you’ve already lost. Why would you die for a lost cause when you could be with the ones you love? Did you not think of them, or were you all too selfish of your own beliefs that you would die just to openly worship a god?”
“What do you expect us to do? Not follow the way of our hero?”
“What about the Thalmor? They will accuse anyone they want.” More shouts came from the stormcloaks.
“I never said you couldn’t worship Talos. All I am saying is to not be stupid and wear a Talos necklace in public or mention him around anyone besides your closest family. Let me worry about the Thalmor. I have business with them anyway.” Barix picked up a knife and tossed it near a group. “The choice is yours. Either live and worship in hiding or die while fighting a battle you cannot hope to win, because I can promise you, if I see any of you around this camp again I will kill you.”
With that Barix walked off with Applejack in tow. They were back on the main road so she knew it was safe to talk again.
“Ah’m impressed, ya didn’t kill any of them.”
“Well it’s a lot easier to manage when I’ve already…you know.”
“Ah got it sugercube.” She looked up to see the sun grazing the horizon. “Say, not to be a worry wart, but how much longer til we get back home?”
Barix also noticed what time it was.
“Oh I see. Here, we’ll ride this.” He held his hand out and a cloud of smoke formed. A black horse with red eyes trotted out. He hopped on the horse and held out a hand to AJ. “Let’s go we don’t have long.”
“Oh this is jus wrong in every sense of the word.”
Despite her words she took his hand and hopped on. He signaled Shadowmare to run. She may not have liked riding another of her kind but she didn’t want to be out in the woods at night. As light was just about gone Barix grabbed his bow and readied an arrow.
“Is somethin wrong?”
“Just keep quiet I need to concentrate.” He said in a barley audible tone.
The two kept riding threw the forest as darkness completely took over. A minute later other movement was heard. Barix readied his bow to the left. Nothing was seen only heard, but then a pair of red eyes were staring at them following them as though on a chase. He was about to release the bow but then he let out a low growl. Another growl came from the eyes sounding similar to Barix. A silent conversation was carried by him and the eyes as AJ could only hold on and pray nothing happened…which is exactly what happened.
The eyes stopped moving, disappearing into the forest behind them. Barix lowered his bow. It wasn’t much longer that they made it to the house. Without a second thought they got off and ran inside. Lydia was leaning against the doorway to the dining room.
“Late again my Thane.” Lydia said casually.
“You know me, always the one for excitement.” He said, slightly out of breathe.
“That’s it ah’m done. Ah’m stayin right here in this house fer a while thank you very much.” Applejack trotted off even more out of breathe.
“See you both in the morning.” Barix said as he watched Lydia and AJ walk off.
He was going to do that as well, but be just needs to get his armor off. He starts to walk to the back.
“How was the trip?”
He turned to see Rarity coming from the bedroom wing of the house.
“Exciting as always. Anything interesting happen when I was gone?”
“Yes actually, rumor has it that there was a theft in Riverwood. You know that village we walked to for metal? The one right next to us.”
“Is that so?”
“Hmhmm, apparently the blacksmith there was cleaned out, not one bit of metal left to his supply.”
“That is interesting, wonder who it was.”
Rarity couldn’t help but smile as she walked up to her hero, got on her hind legs and hugged him.
“Thank you.”
“Just make sure you don’t over work yourself.”
With that everyone had gone to bed. Barix couldn't help but feel excited for what was in store for him. If the past few days were this fun he couldn’t wait for what else the gods had planned. One thing was certain though. He needed to meet with the greybeards for more training.
It was morning at Lakeview Manor and everyone was happy. Breakfast was just about ready, everyone was present except Rarity.
“Does anyone know where she is?” Barix asks in the general sense.
“I-I do.” Fluttershy was barley audible but the dragonborn was the only one that heard.
“Where is she?” To Fluttershy.
“We don’t know-wait,” Twilight looks to Fluttershy, “Fluttershy did you say something? Barix is friendly you know this already so you can speak up.”
“I thought I was.” A tiny bit louder this time.
“It’s ok, but you did say you knew where Rarity was, right?”
“Oh right…um…she’s in the basement.”
“What is that pony still doing in there?” Barix heads to the cellar door and opens it. “Hey Rarity, lets go, it’s time to eat!”
“I’ll be up in just a second darling! I’m just putting the finishing touches of Fluttershy’s armor!”
“Oh really that sounds great.” The timid mare says at the table, the yells back and forth could be heard threw the house. “I got a quick look at it yesterday and it looks wonderful.”
“I’m glad you think so,” Barix says as he joins the rest at the table, “I’m taking you out with me this time.”
A small squeak was heard before Rainbow stepped into the conversation.
“Whoa whoa whoa. Just what in the hay are you thinking taking poor Flutter out in a world like this?”
“Ah must agree with Dash,” Applejack interjected. “From what ah’ve seen this ‘Skyrim’ is no place for a mare like her.”
“Would you ponies relax. The trip I have planned is to only the top of the mountain and that’s it.”
“Oh you mean the Throat of the World right, home of the greybeards?” Twilight was showing just how much she was reading.
“That’s correct. Now I’ve been up that mountain so many times that I now if we leave soon then we will get to a town at the bottom before dark. Then it takes almost a day to get up and one to get down. Less if you know the shortcut. The trail up has at most a bear or a troll and nether are good at taking apart armor.”
“Then why bring her at all if ya can go it yerself?” AJ asked.
“She’s coming with me as, well as a carrier for other stuff I can’t carry. Plus you will all need to see the world at some point to get an idea of how it is here.”
“Hmm…ok fine but if Flutters comes back with even a scratch on her armor then you’re gonna get it.” Rainbow was very stern on this.
“You have my word.” Barix put his hand over his heart.
“Not good enough.”
“…Excuse me…what was that?” Lydia takes a look of shock and seemed like she was going to walk away since she knew exactly what might happen.
“Look Fluttershy is my best friend and I don’t want her to get hurt. You have to promise, no pinki-” She stopped talking as Barix stands up and was about to yell at her, but then just stops. She was half shocked and half surprised at his actions not knowing what to do.
“I keep forgetting that you are nothing but ignorant ponies who know nothing of this world. Fine if I must spell it out for you…” Barix was calmer, but not by much, “As the dragonborn, hero of Skyrim and all of Tamriel, I am gifted with the power of the voice. I study speech because it is power for me. I know just who powerful one word can be weather it be to save or take a life! There is no being able to understanding just how valuable words can be more than me…so when I say I give you my word that she will come back without a scratch on her I mean this…I will bring her back as healthy and well as when she left while I come back bleeding and broken! It that understood?!”
It took a minute to register everything. Everyone but Lydia was looking at Barix with surprise and some fear that he was going to strike out at them. All except Fluttershy who stared in admiration. He stood looking dead at Rainbow Dash waiting for a response.
“…ok.” She sounds just like Fluttershy.
The rest of breakfast was quiet but afterwards everyone went off to do their own thing. Soon after Rarity came up with the finished armor, Fluttershy was reluctant to come over, but when she did she was happy.
“Oh my Rarity, it’s just so beautiful.”
“It is isn’t it? You needn’t worry darling this armor will protect you from anything.” Rarity said.
“So what happened it’s not like you to take this long.” Barix said.
“Well this time was different, it was nothing short of a major project. First I couldn’t cure the moonstone and malachite right which ended with it looking dreadful. Then it took careful precision to shape the armor and if I didn’t do it just so it would break. But I suppose that’s why it’s called glass armor.”
“Exactly, still it shows how skilled you are to make it so quickly and with so little training.” The white mare blushed slightly at this, against the white coat she had it was quite obvious too. “So Fluttershy, I’ll go get ready do you need help with the armor.”
“No I should be fine, it looks pretty easy to get on.” Fluttershy responded.
Within a minute the two were ready to set off. Barix this time had on a different armor. It looked like steel armor but more grey than silver and had fur in more places. Barix had called it wolf armor, it was meant more for colder climates. He had a skyforgedsteel sword left side, a steel shield on his left arm and a skyforgedsteel axe on his right. He was going to bring his normal weaponry but with Rarity complaining that it wouldn’t match the dragonborn gave up and settled on his old faithful steel weapons. Fluttershy was giving a glass dagger and bow with a supply of arrows. Both had the sticky spell on them. The two head out a few hours from mid-day.
Fluttershy grew happy every time they pass an animal but then sad when all they did was run. Along the way she explains that she could communicate with animals back in Equestria. Barix thought this could be useful and was thinking of how for the rest of the trip. It was sundown when they reach the village. The sign had said Ivarstead. They walk into the inn for a place to sleep.
“AH Barix! It’s good to see you.” The owner calls from behind the counter.
“It’s been to long.” Barix replies to the owner.
“Are you lookin for a room? We’ve got one left if you want it.”
“I’ll take it.” Barix gives the money but then the owner noticed the pink maned pony.
“Sorry Barix but animals aren’t allowed in here.”
Fluttershy let out a small eep.
“If it’s not too much trouble can she stay in?” The dragonborn hands the owner another, slightly larger, bag of gold. He takes it almost without hesitation.
“I suppose since you made this place a lot more welcoming it’s not a problem, as long as it doesn’t go all over the floor.” He stares at the small pony who sinks back some.
“That won’t be a problem. Lets go Fluttershy.” She follows him to a room. Barix proceeds to take off his armor, Fluttershy didn’t.
“What do you want to eat?”
“O-oh…anything really…it’s fine.” As quiet as ever.
“Fluttershy,” the canary mare looks up to see him staring at her, “what do you want?” He said more assertively.
“Well…I-I did like those juniper and snow berries my friends and I had before…with honey.” She finally said.
“Ok I’ll be back.” He heads for the door but stops when he felt something next to him. It was Fluttershy. “Ok you can come with me, which might be for the best anyway.”
“What about you’re armor and weapons?” She looks at his arsenal sitting on the floor in a corner.
“We’re just picking berries I don’t need it. Besides, if it came down to it, I don’t need armor in a fight.”
Fluttershy was confused but went along with it anyway. They spent the last bit of the day just outside of town looking for and picking any berries that could be found. Nothing happened besides them seeing a bear in the far distance. Fluttershy was about to go talk to it but Barix said not to, she knew better now to do as he said. On the way back he stuffs them in his satchel to hide from the owner. His way on saving some bits…Why did I just think of bits instead of coin?
The issue of sleeping came up soon after. There was one bed, while it was plenty big for one, two people slash ponies would need to squeeze together. Fluttershy wanted to share the bed to feel more protected. Barix found this rather sweet and innocent. Before doing so Barix bard the door so no one would stumble in and see them together, when they did get to bed the two friends fell asleep rather quickly. Fluttershy felt more protected in her new friends embrace than she did in her armor, of which see was still in. the next morning went by pretty fast, Barix got his armor, both ate a quick breakfast, and set out, up the mountain.
Near the beginning Fluttershy looks up, not able to see the peak through the clouds but noticing the slope of the path she could tell it was going to be a while. The two armor clad friends pass the time by talking about each other’s respective home and playing some games along the way. It seems like only hours pass by but soon enough they found themselves face to face with the temple doors. Barix steps forward, he was about to knock on the door but it opens before he could revealing an elderly human with a grey hooded robe.
“Barix…it is good to see you again.” The elderly says.
“As is you, master Arngeir.” Barix replies. “May we enter?”
“We?” The robed one notices the canary pony behind Barix, “Oh I see you’ve made a friend,” snapping back to reality “yes, yes come in.”
The group walks through the temple taking the two friends to a meeting room. Taking seats they began talking again.
“So let me guess, you are here for more training.”
“Yes but more than that. My friend here comes from another world and they need a way back, I figured you could at least point me in the right direction.”
“Maybe…but first,” Arngeir looks to Fluttershy, “Where do you come from little one?”
“Um…I c-come from Equestria, sir.” Fluttershy softly speaks.
“There’s no need to be so formal little one but I must say I haven’t heard of that realm. The only thing I could suggest is to ask our master.” Arngeir suggests.
“Paarthurnax.” Barix says.
“You have a master?” Fluttershy asks Arngeir.
“Yes of course, it is how we were able to learn the way of the voice in the first place and in turn teach the dragonborn.”
“The sun will be setting soon so we should go meet with him before we can’t see anymore ourselves.” Barix suggests.
“Very well…we will be here setting up a place for you both to sleep the night.”
Fluttershy follows Barix as he walks outside but stops at a wall of blistering wind. She was told to cover her ears, remembering the volume of the first shout, she complies instantly.
“LOK!”
It was still not enough as she cringed up but they proceed to walk through the now clear path up. Barix kept this up a few more times but soon they came to the top. All she saw was a stone monument. A roar was heard in the distance, Fluttershy was getting scared again even though Barix tries to reassure her. A dragon flies up from the other side before landing on the monument facing them. Fluttershy shrieks as she hid behind Barix, he didn’t even try to comfort her this time.
“Hik goo nib ooll, it is good to see you again you Barix.” The dragon spoke.
“As is you, Paarthurnax.” A quick look to make sure the cowering mare confirmed she was fine and appeared to be a little calmer. “I apologize for skipping the formalities but I have come on an urgent matters that may require your assistance, this pony is-” The elder dragon cut the young dragonborn off.
“From another dimension yes. I can see it.”
“You already know? Does that mean you can help?”
“Th-this dragon is the grand master of the others in the temple?” Fluttershy was just a whisper.
“Indeed I am young one, and you are right not to trust me, one should never trust a dov, a dragon.”
“But you do Barix?” Fluttershy asks Barix.
“Call me stupid but I do.” He responds. “Why wouldn’t I trust a brother of mine?”
“I-I don’t understand, h-how is that dragon the gr-grand master and how are you related to him?”
“Yam fyr grit wod uon, so young and full of questions. How else would the humans learn how to use the power of the voice?” The dragon tells the little mare.
“I…I guess that makes sense, it is a dragonic power after all.”
“I’ll tell you about relations later if you want, but for now,” He turns to Paarthurnax, “Can you help me?”
“I myself cannot help you in your jeik fri, your quest, but I can help by giving you some advice that will point you in the right direction.” Barix holds on to ever word making sure not to miss anything and waits for the answer he came for. “You are on the right path in your fyk dee buh, search for knowledge, but you still have a way’s to go in order to complete the requirements.”
“Thank you friend.”
With that he bows to the elder then turns to leave.
“Dovahkiin,” he turns to Paarthurnax, “One last thing, you are closer to home than you realize.” Barix thought it over for a second but then starts back down the mountain.
The armored couple got back to the temple at night and soon go to sleep. Fluttershy insists on sleeping in the same bed again. Barix run what the elder dragon said over in his head trying to think of what it means, since he could sleep right away. In the morning she got up alone. In her search for her companion she found him with one of the greybeards, Arngeir again, and they were looking on a map. Barix saw her and soon pack up. They left the temple after he performs his normal farewells. Starting back down the path Fluttershy remembers the question she was going to ask.
“So…um…how are you related to that dragon-if you don’t mind my asking of course?” She quickly follows up with. Barix let out a small laugh.
“Its fine, you see, to be the dragonborn you have to have the soul and blood of a dragon, as such I am related to him.”
“…But that doesn’t make much sense. How could you know you are related to him? Doesn’t dragons have families with their own relatives?”
“Oh sorry I keep forgetting you and you’re friends aren’t from around here. Well, all dragons are from the same being, as such they are all related in one way or another. Having the blood of a dragon is no exception.”
“Oh I see. I think I understand now.”
“Ok anything else you have on your mind, we have a long walk down.”
“Not that I-AAAHHH!!!” Fluttershy screams.
Barix looks forward to see two frost trolls ahead of them about twenty feet away and closing fast. He readies his sword and shield. Already knowing the right strategy all he had to do is keep a fast pace, wear them down with small wounds, not get hit by those powerful arms, and he would do fine. His sword was flying and their arms were swinging but he was too fast for the beasts to get a hit in. Fluttershy could only back up in fear but was getting close to the edge of the cliff. Barix had a shot, he took it by stabbing one of them in the chest with the sword and delivering a finishing fire breath. It fell to the floor screaming in pain as he gets slammed by the other one. That blow was enough to send him into the side of the mountain then collapse on the ground. The whimper from the canary mare was enough to shift the troll’s attention from the downed warrior to her. Barix looks on as the troll saw her.
No it sees her. My chest…I can’t get up.
It gets closer.
I can’t let her get hurt but how can I help her?
It was right on top of her.
I can’t let her down…one more second.
It lifts its arm to strike.
I made a promise.
“WULD!”
Barix rushes forward slamming into the troll, sending both him and it over the side of the cliff.
Fluttershy catches up to him to see the troll being pushed away with an axe in its chest. She goes in and grabs Barix but he is too heavy for her to carry. Barix holds the crying mare tightly, knowing that it will all be over soon…for him anyway she could fly away. With the mare in his grasp he looks down to see the ground getting closer. About half a minute. He prepares for the worst.
He strikes an idea. Quickly getting to work he casts the Secret of Protection power.
“MUL! QAH! DIIV!”
Barix is shrouded in mystical dragon armor as he holds Fluttershy tightly on top. They land with a loud thud. Fluttershy can do nothing but cry in his arms as the realization of landing finally sinks in. she looks to see a crater around Barix. A double take on her hero finds he is conscious and bleeding in several areas.
“…B-B…Barix…come on…get up. We have to go.” She was quieter than usual. She starts to shake him some. “Barix…Barix…”
She has taken care of so many animals, nursed them to health, and even given real medical aid to some of her friends when they needed it. But now all that knowledge disappeared. All she could do is lay there and cry. Time was lost. The sound of hoof, or footsteps was heard and it was getting closer. She didn’t know what to do other than lay there and whimper. Soon some people walk into view wearing mostly fur outfits.
“Well boy’s look at what we found.” The leader, by the looks of it, says.
“That horse has some good lookin fur. That will be great come winter time.”
None of this was registering with Fluttershy as she was staring in fear and curiosity.
“Hey is that guy dead?”
“Why don’t you go check it out meat head.” The leader speaks up.
The grunt walks to the body. He had to push Fluttershy out of the way to check him. She stares in suspense subconsciously holding her breath.
“He’s alive,” Fluttershy collapses in happy tears, “but-” her sobbing was interrupted by one of them talking.
“Hey look at his armor.” The leader finally takes notice.
“That’s wolf armor.” The leader starts to laugh. “Look at that, we bagged us another beast fella’s. Take him and his pet with us, we’ll take their skins later.”
Fluttershy began to panic when they went to grab her but she cooperates when they tell her they would hurt Barix if she didn’t.
Barix starts to become conscious but just barely. Soon enough pain shot throughout his body, it was a pain he wanted to yell from but was to shocked to do so. Everything felt broken, bones, muscle, skin and all. After some time he was finally able to gather himself. Eyes still closed he starts to go through his standard unconscious procedure.
Ok just like before…I’m sitting this time…and my hands are cuffed. Ah! I can’t move…it hurts too much. I need to heal.
Barix casts his healing power ‘Mora’s Boon’. Relief, comfort, and relaxation washed over him with the familiar warmth. Now able to open his eyes he gets tackled by a small and soft figure.
“Oh thank Celestia you’re ok! I was so worried that you wouldn’t wake!” She cried in his arms yelling. Yelling for her that is.
“It’s ok now I’m here to help.”
Holding the weeping mare he took in his surroundings. They were in a cell, not a jail cell were guards held criminals, but a worn out cell that might be inside a rundown fort or large building. A person walks into view with a slightly surprised face.
“You’re awake. Well it took you long enough. We were starting to wonder if we needed to wait another day to cut another one of you up.”
“Judging by your outfit…you’re with the silver hand.”
“You must be one of those beasts with a brain, what little you have anyway. Either way you can’t do anything now without your own gear.” Confirming what the silver hand said he looks to see both him and Fluttershy had no armor, at least she still wasn’t hurt. “Oh yeah that thing wouldn’t shut up until we put you both in the same cell.”
“You wouldn’t even give me a fair chance of defending myself. That’s just like you silver hand…no honor.”
“Like you are one to talk you filthy beast. You can do nothing now until sundown which isn’t for another half a day. Your kind has killed countless of us, and you’re telling me I have no honor? Do us both a favor and shut your snout.”
“Your hearts might be in the right place but the thing is you go after the warriors and heroes that help everyday people.”
“I said shut your snout you disgusting daedra!”
“What are you going to do about it?…milk drinker.”
“SAY THAT ONE MORE TIME BEAST! JUST ONE MORE TIME AND I’LL RIP OUT THAT HORSES TOUNG!”
Fluttershy was back to being scared but Barix knew he had him.
“…Milk drinker.”
Without hesitation the silver hand opened the cell door, pulled an aimed arrow at the cowering mare, and took a shot. He didn’t even realize it until the arrow was caught. Barix was standing in front of him with the arrow in hand and chains broken. The silver hand stumbled back and fell to the ground.
“No-how is this possible, you can’t turn. It’s still day outside.” Panic was dripping in his voice as fear took his face.
He gets up and runs away. Fluttershy looks at Barix doubting if she wanted to know what was going on. He turns his head so she could see half of his face. To her it was like looking into death itself. Barix had blood shot eyes and all his teeth were sharp.
“Fluttershy,” he was talking in a low voice, “Wait here for a few minutes. I will come back to get you.”
She responded with a low whimper, universally meaning yes…or so he thought. He walks off. The scared mare huddles in a corner waiting. She starts whimpering again as the sounds of distant screams reach her ears. For a long time she sits there while the inescapable sounds of metal against metal, ripping limbs, and screams of pain assault her. She starts crying again. All of it stops after what seemed like forever. She hears something approach but it stops right outside the cell and out of sight, she looks over waiting for her turn to leave the nightmare.
“Fluttershy,” the voice was deep and raspy, almost like two were trying and failing to speak in perfect unison. “It is me…Barix.”
“Barix? What happened? Are you alright?” she walks over to the door but is stopped.
“Don’t come closer. First I need to tell you that this is me, no matter what you see or what you may feel, I am in control.”
“Why are you tell me this?” Some fear in her voice.
“Because I need you to know I won’t hurt you and that you can still trust me.” Tears begin to collect in the corners of her eyes as she whimpers yet again. “Say it Fluttershy.”
“B-Barix…I…”
“Say ‘I know you will never hurt you’.”
“…I…I know…you will n-never…hurt me.”
“Step out of the cell, Fluttershy.”
It takes a minute but soon enough she does so to see a sight that she never could have imagined. Less than a foot away a large wolf-beast stands. It had red eyes, sharp claws and teeth with blood coating them, thick black fur, elongated muscular limbs, and was three times the size of any person she had seen. It took her breath away along with her tears.
“Barix…is that…you?”
“Yes. Like I said I wo-”
“You look so handsome.” She felt her cheeks heat up a little.
“What?” Barix felt like a purple troll with three heads came up to him and slapped him across the face.
“Oh but,” she turns to see a lone cloth on a table. She takes it and wipes the blood from his mouth. “There all better.” She goes in for a hug only to find her hero is damp with blood…his own blood. “Oh no Barix, you’re bleeding badly.”
“I will be fine. What matter now is that we get you out of here and back to the manor.” He picks up the mare gently and places her on his back.
Fluttershy was able to snug into the softness once his back was leveled. Barix began to walk to the exit he saw during his raid, on the way he picks up a chest with his teeth. Stepping outside the sun hit him. Seeing the silver hand he knew he was somewhere in Whiterun Hold. Getting his bearings he begins walking. It takes time while balancing the now sleeping mare on his back, avoiding all people and making sure all creatures he saw ran away, he eventually came to the familiar sight of the witch’s makeshift tribute area. As he began climbing he could feel the transformation fading.
Twilight was at the table as always reading her last book. She put it down with a sign.
“Still nothing. This whole time and all I can remember is a circle. What did that spell do to my head?” She was hitting herself in hopes of jogging her memory.
Lydia walks into the room.
“Twilight I got some of the books you requested.”
“Thanks Lydia, I might of gone insane hitting myself.” Two of the books stuck out at her. “What are these two? ‘Secrets of Enchantment’ and ‘The Alchemists Guide to Potion Making’?”
“Some of the books you need I couldn’t find and some are rare so I thought these might help.”
As she finished talking a bang was heard at the front door. The doorknob fell revealing the evening sunlight. Lydia draws her sword. Twilight silently calls for her friends who were meeting in the bedroom. The door opens to a severally wounded Barix with no armor and a sleeping mare on his back being held up by his arms. Lydia rushes to his side as the others did a few seconds after seeing him. Twilight lifts her friend off his back with her magic, which he then drops to all four’s. Twilight takes Fluttershy off to the bedroom. Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but notice blood on her but there was no sign of any cuts or bruising.
“Rainbow Dash,” her attention was turned to Barix who was getting to his feet with Lydia’s help, “like I said…bleeding and broken.”
“I didn’t think you would actually come back like that you bucking idiot.”
With that Lydia then helps Barix to his room. Pinkie Pie calls the others left in the hallway outside.
“Hey girls, come check this out.”
Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash trot outside to see Pinkie bouncing in front of an open chest. She moves aside for her friends. They see a set of perfect glass armor with a matching dagger and bow with arrows completely untouched.
“Well would ya look at that RD, not uh single scratch on her armor.”
“Big deal.”
She flaps off. Landing on the roof and stares at the sunset. For the rest of the evening she couldn’t help but feel respect for Barix.
The next few days were going by slower than others. Barix had to stay in bed to heal and he refused to use his own magic to do so. Twilight was helpful in that department. Rarity was done with the rest of the armor sets so all Barix needed to do was figure out what job he wanted to do next. He was thinking about what Paarthurnax had said about being on the right path. Twilight wants to read books so the college would be the next best step. It was night and he still had no idea what to do. Rainbow Dash was really annoying about bringing her next, to shut her up he thought he might just do that. At least he was fully healed now. They all decide to retire for the night.
It was in the middle of the night when Barix wakes to the sound of thunder. He thinks nothing of it and tries to back to sleep when he hears the small but unmistakable sound of a creaking wooden floor board. He gets up slowly taking two daggers he hid under his bed. One he straps to his leg, one he holds at the ready.
“LAAS! YAH! NIR!”
With his most useful whisper everything was now visible to him. Walking through the house he saw Lydia in her bed and the ponies in theirs. Further investigation turned up nothing, the air doesn’t even hold any unfamiliar scent. He continues to scan the house with his Aura Whisper faded and still can’t find anything. He ends his search in the front hallway. He finds the door is slightly open all the way.
He walks to it slowly and quietly when he hears another creak, turning around he tries to stab the intruder but he is quickly disarmed then he is kicked in the chest getting thrown out the front door. He gets up in a second while grabbing his extra dagger. As he goes in for the kill a lightning bolt strikes near, lighting the area. Barix stops his dagger inches away from the familiar face. It takes a few seconds for Barix to pull the dagger away.
“Nazir.”
“Barix.”
“Oh come now that hurts my feelings. Look I’ll skip the pleasantries but I need you to take another job.”
“That’s too bad, you know I don’t kill anymore.”
“Like you did with the silver hand a few days ago.”
“I see spying is still your main skill.” He walks past his old acquaintance and quietly shuts the door, unaware of the creature spying on the inside wall. “What did I tell you when I left? I said I’m done as in no more killing.”
“I wouldn’t have come to you if this wasn’t of dire consequence. I’m not asking you as a former superior but as a friend in need.”
Barix stood there thinking the situation threw. It was a job, one he was good at but hated very much. Two to one, the next question would decide for him.
“Who’s the target this time?”
“It’s an argonian named Gulum-Ei. He has information on the entire brotherhood and threats to expose us. Our efforts to…‘silence him’ have ended in failure, he now knows we are after him and has taken steps to make sure he stays alive. That’s why we need you and your unique abilities to take him out.”
Barix thinks about this hard. He remembers when he met Gulum-Ei during his time in the Thieves Guild. He is a slimy dealer that would screw over anyone as long as it serves his own purpose. He truly did deserve to die, and it would be Barix who does it.
“…Is he still hiding in the caves behind the East Trading Company?”
“Yes. Here’s the contract.” Barix noticed the reward on it was high. “This is a high stakes kill and must be done as fast as you can. You should be able to get it done with your new assistant.” He looks at Nazir in confusion.
“What do you mean assistant? I don’t have one.”
“Then who is it that’s been listening to our conversation.” He points above them in the dark.
It was tough to make out but there was a shadow against the building. Another lightning strike lit up the figure for all to see, it was a cyan blue colored mare with a rainbow mane and tail.
“Hey no fair how did you know I was here.” She floats down using her wings. “I was completely stealthy.”
“Rainbow Dash you three seconds to explain yourself before I snap your neck.”
“Hey whoa whoa whoa, why are you getting so aggressive?”
“Because you were host to a meeting to the dark brotherhood, as per their rules you should be dead right now.”
“Hold on Barix, she may be able to help you with this job.” Nazir spoke up.
“What?” Barix responded.
“I didn’t notice her until the middle of our talk, you only noticed her because I told you. Look I’m not telling you how to do the job, I’m only suggesting she could help, I never hurts to have some extra help, especially on a case like this.”
Barix stood there a moment thinking if it would really work. He looks to the multi-colored mare.
“Rainbow Dash, what do you say?”
“I don’t mind. In fact I’d rather go out and do stuff rather than stay around here all cooped up and bored.”
“…Alright, I’ll take the job and take her with me.” He told the assassin.
“Good to hear, do you still have your uniform?”
“Yes. I’ll leave first thing in the morning.” Barix turns to his friend. “Rainbow Dash, wake Rarity and bring her to the basement, I’ll explain later.”
“Ok but what about hi-” she noticed Nazir has disappeared, “what, where did he go?”
“He’s an assassin, he’s good at that. Now go get Rarity.”
Rainbow Dash quietly woke her friend and both headed down to the basement, that is, after an hour of Rarity fixing her mane. Barix was sitting in the first room at the table in a different uniform other than his armor. It was a red and black suit-type of clothing with fine black stitching and dark highlights. It was also fitted with a hood and a front face mask, both were pulled down for the moment. A matching set sat on the table.
“Rarity, I’m sorry for waking you so early in the morning, but I have an urgent request.”
“It is alright darling, what do you need me to do?”
“This an old uniform for a specific group but now I need it to be fitted for Rainbow Dash.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem at all, here let me see them.” She took the cloths in next room getting to work on the work bench.
“So what’s going to happen to my other armor, I mean it looks a lot better than that piece of cloth. It doesn’t seem very useful…or cool looking.”
“It’s meant to keep you hidden, you’re not supposed wear it in battle. Just do what you did during the meeting and you’ll be just fine.”
“Aww but that was kind of boring, we better be doing something fun.”
Barix was silent. It wasn’t much longer before Rarity came back with the red and black cloths.
“That was fast.” Barix complimented.
“Oh that old thing was nothing. You should see me when I have an order for a famous celebrity. Have fun you two.”
Rainbow put on the cloths. It still looked very similar to the one Barix had on. The glove fingers were taken out and closed up, all the extra slack was cut away, hugging her figure tightly. Barix thought this interesting but had to look away for a minute for an unexplained reason. The excess pieces were made into a modified neck piece to cover for having a longer neck and a slightly larger hood. The only thing wrong was that there wasn’t enough to cover her tail which was swaying back and forth fully uncovered.
Barix took a two daedra daggers. Mostly due to Rarity on one of her matching set rants. Dash was given two daedra daggers as well, Rarity was able to perform the sticky spell on them. The assassins both set out immediately.
Rainbow was complaining about food not one minute from the house. It was still dark out but Barix was able to see some berry bushes and some eatable flowers as they pass. They walked along the main road but hid from any guard they happened to encounter. Dawn comes when Dash couldn’t take much more.
“Ok, can you tell me where we’re going? I mean we’ve been walking like forever.”
“I’ve been walking, you’ve been flying.”
“Yeah, ok, but that doesn’t answer my question.”
“We are headed to Solitude, just outside of it to be more precise.”
“Are we really going to kill somepony?” Barix looked at her quizzically. “Oh right in mean some…one. Uhg, it just sounds too weird.”
“Yes we are.”
“I’m not sure I can actually do that.”
“Is that so?”
“Well I’ve been in a couple of fights before but I’ve never killed anypo-…anyone.”
“You are an interesting one Rainbow Dash.”
“How so?”
“When I took Applejack with me she didn’t hesitate to attack the bandits we encountered in Bleak Falls Barrow.”
“It may not seem it but we are very different.”
“I can tell. One of my talents is studying how others act and react to different situations. Just part of the assassin trade I guess, but I can tell how to help you with the upcoming events.”
“How?”
“The person, or more specifically the lizard, we are going to kill is nothing short of a double crosser and a thief.”
“Like that makes a difference.”
“How do you figure?”
“I may not be as smart as my friends but it doesn’t take a genius to tell you have been doing this for a long time. I can’t help but wonder one thing, what right do you have taking another’s life even if that one po-er, lizard guy, is a bad po-person.”
“…I ask myself that question every time I take a life.”
“Then why do it at all? Look I’m not trying to take you down a peg, you seem like a really nice guy. Heck you protected Fluttershy with your own life, that’s good enough for me. It’s just…you don’t seem like the type to do something like this.”
“Tell you what, if you really want to know the whole story about me and the brother hood I’ll tell you after the job is done. You have my word.”
“Ok, I know how good you are with your word but could also pinkie promise too, that way I know you really mean it.”
“Do what?”
“Pinkie promise like this.” She was doing the motions that came so fluently to her. “Cross my heart, and hope to fly, still a cupcake in my eye. There, see?”
“ ‘sign’ And you won’t leave me alone until I do it will you?”
“Yep.”
“Fine. Cross my heart…hope to fly…stick a cupcake…in my-OOOWWW! BY THE NINE! DAM IT!” Barix didn’t close his eye leaving it exposed for him to poke. Dash was on the ground laughing hysterically.
“Ha ha ha ha ha…ok there genius…I think that was good enough for now…let’s get moving.” She had to pause now and then to catch her breath.
As they continued to walk, Barix had to rub his eye for a good minute before it was good. They had to take the long way around towns to avoid suspicion from the public. It had taken them the whole day but they made it to the edge of the gulf that makes the Solitude Port.
“So how do we get across? Walk around?”
“No, I have a little trick I like to use for situations like this. Watch.”
Barix starts to get covered in green flames. He is quickly engulfed in the flames, but just as quickly they came they disappeared. Rainbow didn’t have time to react until it was all over. The one big thing that stood out was his looks.
“Barix, is that you?”
“Yeah it’s me Rainbow Dash, I’m just an argonian now, a lizard.”
“That is just so…so AWSOME! How can you do that?!”
“I’m not sure how long I’ve had it but I can turn into different species or people.”
“Ooo, ooo, ooo. Do me, do me.”
“Rainbow Dash, we don’t have time for that.”
“Ok fine, but you know…you can just call me Dash, ok?”
“Alright, now the plan of entrance……it’s dark out so you fly overhead I’ll swim to the docks. No one should be able to see you even with your tail, if you see someone that I don’t knock them out no killing until we get inside. Got it.”
“Got it.” With a salute she took off.
Barix dove into the water and began swimming to the docks. Being an argonian, it only took a minute. He swam right under the bridge close to the door. He looks on it to see a dock worker, he gets up on the dock behind the worker, quietly as ever, and knocks him out. Looks around one last time to see Rainbow hover with another worker. With Barix giving the signal they head inside with their victims.
Laying them on the side Barix walks forward into the familiar surroundings. Dash flew up high near the cave ceiling while Barix was jumping quickly and quietly between the high shelves. He weaves through the shelves high above the workers below. He stops above the hidden entrance as he signals his accomplice to move in, they enter the secret passage without notice.
When they got in voices were heard immediately.
“Ok Dash, here’s how it’s going to go,” Barix began whispering the plan to Rainbow, “You’ll fly up, I’ll stay low. We’ll work together to take out the groups one at a time, ok?”
“Gotch ya.” With that she quietly flies up near the ceiling and Barix slips into the water.
The two assassins made their way through the cave ‘dealing’ with every group they came across. They started out slow, Rainbow was hesitant to help but quickly adjusted. Barix would strike from the bottom as Rainbow does from above. It didn’t take long for the two to reach the end of the cave.
At a distance they could see the end of the cave. The walls were lined with various, likely stolen, items that looked like it was ready to sell. In the center, four mercenaries stood or sat around a small fire. One last figure stuck out like a sore thumb. It was Gulum-Ei. Barix ginned devilishly.
“What do we do now?” The multi-colored mare quietly asked.
Barix observed his surroundings for possibilities.
“Ok Dash, here’s the plan. I’ll go left behind the crates and you go right. When the time is right we’ll take out two mercenaries at the same time then go for the next two before they can react. That will leave Gulum-Ei defenseless. Ready?”
“Ready” Rainbow replies.
They don their masks and sneak over to the places. Barix could feel his lust for death boil fast. Dash was just about in place when her tail was snagged on a loose nail. Celestia, dam it. Why does this have to happen now? As she yanks it out the nail comes with it, making a few dings as it hits the wooden boards.
“What was that?” One of the hired thugs ask.
Two of them close in on the huddled mare. Barix knew how to fix the problem but was concerned about what Dash would think. She was seconds away from being found out when he went through with his plan. His eye’s turned a deep green as he manipulated the shadows to his will. Four shadow blades sprang up in front of the four, now confused, mercenaries. The blades shot through their chests picking them up in the process. They dangled in the air barely able to mask their pain. The thief stood there in the middle of it all completely shocked.
Rainbow didn’t know why she wasn’t found yet but heard the muffled sounds of pain. She poked her head out to see what was going on to catch the worst scene that might scare her for life. All four of the thugs were suspended in the air with a dark sword in their chests. Then, out of nowhere, all of their heads exploded in a violent red and pink blur. As they drop to the ground Gulum-Ei turns to run but halts to see a figure in front. Barix stands before him covered in the assassin garbs, the only thing to show is the green eyes that are filled with hate.
“P-please. Let me go, I’ll make it worth your while. I was never going to release any info on you, I just wanted the brotherhood off my trail. You must understa-ugg.” He was silenced by Barix choking the thief hard.
Barix lifted him in the air, relishing in the sound of his suffering. Once he had enough he takes one of his daggers and stabs the thief in the back of the head then drags it down, splitting the spine several times. The glow of his eyes faded and he drops the lifeless corpse. The next thing he laid his eyes on was a terrified Rainbow Dash, her face completely uncovered giving him full view for the fear on her face.
“Dash-” He advances on her but stops after she backs away. Staying put this time he speaks again. “I’m…sorry you had to see that.” He decides to have a seat next to the fire. “The job is done…so if you still want to hear it…”
It took Rainbow a minute to calm down and another to make her way over to the fire. She made sure to sit on the opposite side.
“It started after I left a group known as the Companions. I came across a rumor in a town about some kid trying to summon the Dark Brotherhood, a clan of assassins. After a…misunderstanding I was caught by them and was asked to join. I saw it as a way to hone some of my skills. Things went well for a time but…let’s just say things took a turn for the worst. The brotherhood was almost destroyed. After I helped set it back up in a new location I left. It wasn’t on the best of turns but none the less, the rest of the brotherhood stayed away and out of my business, until that night you saw Nazir.”
The story wasn’t that amazing to Dash but she was still having a hard time dealing with what she saw before. The silence was getting awkward.
“We should get some sleep…we have a long day tomorrow.”
With that Barix looks in the crates for a minute and pulls out two sleeping bags. He set one next to Rainbow all the while she kept her gaze on him taking a step back as he came close. Before Barix got comfortable he turns back to normal. He fell asleep well enough but the rainbow mare was having trouble.
It must have been hours since Rainbow closed her eyes. Sleep was hard to get. It wasn’t long after the fifth time she woke up that she heard Barix move around. She turns to look at him and sees him shaking on the mat. Against her better judgment the rainbow mare slowly walks over to him, fear being reinforced by the nightmares he might be having. Gently she taps her hoof against the shoulder of the sleeping assassin.
“Barix…are you ok.”
As soon as she touched him, Barix got up so fast that even Dash had a hard time keeping up. Before she knew it she was against a wall with a dagger to her throat. Barix stared at her with his bright green eyes. Her blood ran cold as her heart stops.
“Barix…you don’t want to do this…just put down the knife.” Rainbow brought a hoof to his face. “Shhh, it’s ok. There’s nothing here.”
Barix felt all the hate and rage leave. As his eye’s turned back to normal. Before Rainbow could say anything else, he drops the dagger and embraces the confused mare.
“I’m sorry…I’m so sorry Rainbow.”
Rainbow could feel her shoulder become wet fast. She understood fully now and hugs him in return.
“It’s ok now. We all have our demons. The trick is overcoming them and moving on.”
“Wow Dash, didn’t think you were one to get emotional.”
It was early morning when the two set off for their next destination. Dash noticed it wasn’t in the normal direction from home. When she asked all Barix would say it was a secret location. They arrived in a town called Dawnstar. They took a walk outside the town limits behind a small rocky hill to find a very creepy looking door. Barix is the first to go up to it.
“Innocence, my brother.”
The door cracks open. As they walk in Rainbow takes notice of the old style building. The distant screams of plea’s and pain were heard throughout the hideaway. They came to a sort of meeting area. There sat Nazir and a little girl.
“Nazir, I’m back.” The girl hands Nazir a small bag of coins.
“Really? You placed a bet on me?”
“Nothing much, but on to real business. Do you have the evidence?”
“Here,” Barix reaches into his outfit and pulls out a folder, “It’s everything I could find, and everyone at the scene is dead.”
“Good work as always. I expected no less.”
“Wow you’re so pretty.” The assassins turn to see the little girl hugging the cyan mare.
“Uh, thanks. I know I’m awesome, you don’t have to say it.”
“You smell good too.”
“That’s…good to hear.”
“Bitch if you so much as lick her, you’re going to get a spike through your head.” The girl backs off.
“Hopefully I’ll see you later.” Dash was speechless as she saw into the girls eyes.
“Let’s get going Dash.” That brought her back. Without any trouble they left the hidden base. Nazir turns to the girls.
“Did you really think he would let you get a taste test on her?”
“It was worth a try.”
Barix and Rainbow headed back to the house. She thought it was best not to ask what that girl was…just in case. Before they got onto the main road Barix and Dash took off their uniforms in separated bushes and put them in a satchel. Barix had put on normal cloths with a sword tied to his side. It was getting dark halfway into their trip so they decide to stop in Whiterun. Barix said he has a second house in the city.
As Dash was getting familiar with the place Barix set out to the markets to sell some equipment and get some food. He brought back some bowls of Apple Cabbage Stew with some Sweet Rolls, the excited mare was practically drooling. As they ate a courier came by the house to drop off a message.
“What does it say?”
“It seems General Tullius wants to see me. You don’t know him he’s-”
“The general of the Imp’s or something right?”
“…Imperials. And how did you know?”
“Applejack told us but I didn’t pay much attention.”
“Oh, well we should get some sleep. We still have a long walk in the morning.”
As they left in the morning Barix had a bad feeling, one that was in the air. Rainbow didn’t pay much mind to it or just didn’t notice. It was along the path, after Riverwood, when it happen. Barix grabs Dash and jumps under a large, shaded tree.
“Hey! What’s the big idea!?” She yells in protest but all Barix does is look at her with death in his eyes. Not green but almost enough to kill.
She gets the hint and stops talking. He takes to looking up in the sky as Dash notices just how close she was to Barix. Not a second later something very large soared past above them, as it left the wind tore around them and blew it in their face. When the wind died down Dash took a look in the direction that thing was traveling in and saw a large dragon fly away.
“Wow…a dragon.”
“You have them back home?”
“Yeah but they normally stay away from the cities and towns.”
“Not here. Let’s go before it decides to circle around again.”
“I thought you were the dragonborn. Destroyer on dragons, concurer of evil, defender of good and all that junk.”
“I am but I need my best armor with me and the best weapons I could have. Plus if I have to make sure you don’t get hurt I won’t come out of this alive. Now let’s move.”
With swift feet…and hooves…they reached the manor without problem. It was early evening. Everyone was outside waiting for Rainbow Dash and Barix. Her friends bounced on her in a group hug.
“Great with timing as usual Lydia.”
“Thanks. So are you going to tell me what happened or is this another secret?”
“There’s nothing to tell. I was just putting my past behind me.”
Chapter 6 - The Random...something, I don't know I got a head ache after writing this
The Random…something, I don’t care I got a headache after writing this.
It was the next day that Barix was getting ready to set off. Barix was putting on his Dragonscale armor in the armory while talking to Twilight.
“So how long are you going to be gone this time?”
“It should only be a few days, depending on what Tullius has to tell me.”
“Then you’ll take me to the college right?” She put a lot of emphasis on the sentence.
“Yes Twilight, I planned to anyway. It’s the only place that would have any knowledge on what you’re looking for.”
Barix gathers his weapons and heads out, of which he grabs a sword, shield, dagger, bow, and some arrows. All of them being dragonbone weapons. He steps outside and looks around.
“Where is she?”
“You’re supposed to find me. They don’t call it hide and seek for nothing.” Pinkie’s voice seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere.
“Pinkie we don’t have time for this.”
“Ok, but I expect to finish the game later.” Barix and Twilight turn to the left and see the pink mare in her pink Dwarven armor. Everyone, including Rarity and Barix, had no idea how she managed to make her armor pink.
“Then let’s go.”
Barix walks off and Pinkie bounces right behind. Twilight caught her attention for a second.
“Pinkie, could you take the craziness easy on Barix, he’s not used to…well you as much as us.”
“Ok Twilight, I Pinkie Promise.”
So that’s where that came from. Their trip to Solitude was pretty uneventful. Although all the talk from Pinkie Pie was starting to get pretty annoying, especially when she was going on about some weird thing about cherries. It wasn’t much of a problem though, as he has mastered walking and meditating at the same time. Barix and Pinkie go inside the city but stop outside the fortress doors.
“If you don’t mind I’m going to go in alone, it may be too important to share openly.”
“Okie Dokie Lokie, I’ll be playing with the kids I saw in town. La la la la la.”
As Barix was inside with General Tullius he couldn’t help but think of how much skooma and moonsugar that pony must be on. Once he was done with the meeting he saw the pony carrying three kids one her and pretending they were fighting some big monster as knights with a trusty steed.
“Sorry to end the fun but it’s time to go Pinkie.”
“Awww, sorry kids gotta go.”
After a minute of complaining the kids finally got off. As they were about to leave-
“Wait I almost forgot to tell you, there’s this guy hat says he’s needs help with his master.”
Barix takes a look in the sky.
“Ok we can help him but let’s make it quick.” He follows Pinkie to the residential district of the city when someone runs up to him seemingly from out of nowhere.
“You can help me can’t you? That’s what you do right?” The stranger asks.
“What is it?” Barix notices a somewhat crazed look in his eyes.
“It’s my master, he has abandoned me and his people. No matter what I say nothing will change his mind. He says it interrupts his vacation but it’s already been so many years. Please…can you help?”
“Ok I’ll see what I can do.” Well this is going to be a head ache.
“Last I knew he went into the forbidden wing of the Blue Palace. Here take this key you’ll need it to gain entry. Thanks again for the help.”
Barix unlocks the door when Pinkie was distracting everyone. Pinkie met Barix on the other side of the door, still to the surprise his surprise.
“Wow this place could use a good dusting. Aaa…Aaa…Choo.” Pinkie sneezes out streamers and confetti while Barix looks at her in horror. “What, you never got a party sneeze before? Let’s go, that master isn’t going to find himself. Unless-”
“Stop! …Just keep looking.”
Not long after Barix could feel a strange energy. Before he could say anything he blacked out. Waking up he saw a table with two people talking in the middle of a field.
“It’s about time you woke up.” Barix turns to see Pinkie without her armor.
“How long have I been out?”
“A few minutes now, still don’t know how you changed your cloths though.”
Barix checks to see his armor was indeed gone and replaced by fancy garbs.
“Great. Do you know who those two are?”
“No, haven’t been able to get a read on them. Whatcha thinkin?”
“They might know where we are.”
As they walk up to the table, one of the patrons teleport away.
“How rude. I can’t even be bothered to host a party for an old friend for a decade or two.”
Barix decides to ignore it for now.
“Um, I have come here to deliver a message.”
“Rrreeeaaalllyyy, what kind of message? A song? A summons? Wait, I know! A death threat written on the skin of a high elf with an argonian spine! Those are my favorite.”
“……no.”
“Well? Spit it out mortal. I haven’t got an eternity! Well I do. A little joke. But seriously, what’s the message?”
“I was asked to bring you back from your vacation.” What in oblivion is wrong with this guy?
“Were ya now? By whom? WAIT! Don’t tell me. I want to guess. Was it Maggy? No, no…Tiny Tim, the shoe maker’s daughter? The ghost of King Arthur? Or was it…YES! Stanley the talking watermelon from Singapore. Wrong on all accounts, am I right? No matter. I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”
“…”
“But more to the point. Do you – little, weak, disposable mortal – actually think you can convince me to leave? Because that’s just…crazy. You do realize who you’re dealing with here?”
“I don’t think I want to know.”
“Ha! Actually, you do. Sort of. I am a shadow of your subconscious, a blemish on your fragile little psyche. You may know me as Sheogorath, Daedric Prince of Madness. At your service.”
“So…does that mean you’ll leave?” At least it makes sense now.
“Now that’s the real question, isn’t it? Because, honestly, how much time off could a demented Daedra really need? So this is what I’m going to do. Leave. That’s right. Holiday…complete. On one condition. You have to find the way out first.”
“Fine,” Barix takes a look around, “What’s the catch.”
“Ha ha. Oh I do love it when the mortals know there’re being manipulated, it makes this infinitely more interesting. Take a look around. This is not the Solitude botanical gardens. Have you any idea where you are? Where you truly are? Welcome to the mind of the Emperor, Pelagius III.”
“By the nine.”
“That’s right you’re in the mind of a dead, homicidally insane monarch! Now I know what you’re thinkin. Can I still use my swords and spells and whatnot. Sure, sure. Or you can use…wait for it…THE WABBAJACK. Huh? Didn’t see that one coming did you? Off with you then.”
Barix walks away, hopes almost gone, Pinkie bouncing right behind.
“Barix why are you so sad?”
“I hope you’re kidding? How can you be so happy? We are trapped in the mind of an insane emperor, all of our weapons are gone, and we have to find a way out using a staff I’ve never heard of before. How did you get that anyway?”
“He gave it to me. Looks pretty funny huh?”
“If you say so. Now our first priority should be to find a way out.”
“We can’t yet, first we have to fix the three problems in this emperor’s mind. It says so in the script.” Before Pinkie can hand…or hoof some paper over to Barix, Sheogorath starts his dialogue, seemingly from everywhere.
“This is a sad path. Pelagius hated and feared many things. Assassins, vampires, horses, bread. But his deepest hatred was for himself. The attacks he makes on himself can be seen up ahead.”
“See, we have to restore the mind before we can go.”
“ ‘sigh’ This makes no sense, but fine. Let’s go.”
A few more yards ahead they see two emperors, one being half of his normal size and one twice his normal size. The larger one was trying to stomp the smaller one who was just barley avoiding the crashes to the ground.
“What are you waiting for? Hit them.”
Barix took the staff, aims it at the large one, charges it and blasts him. He disappears for a second and comes back as a normal sized person.
“Quick hit him again!”
Barix was fully aware Pinkie knew something but wasn’t in the mood to argue. He shot the staff again at the evil one. It did the same thing again and shrank to the size of the original small emperor, who proceeds to run from the evil emperor.
“Suffered from fears.” Barix whispers to himself. “I think I know how to do fix the rest.”
Barix then does the same thing to the ‘good’ emperor who was then twice the size of a normal person.
“Wonderfully done. Pelagius is finally ready to love himself…and hate everyone else.”
“Ok Barix lets go. We still have more to go.” Pinkie says as she bounces away.
With a headache to come Barix presses forward, following the pink mare. He is lead down another path as soon as they exit the last. The mad daedra starts to narrate again.
“You’ve headed down a path of dreams. Too bad for you Pelagius suffered from night terrors from a young age. All you need to do is find a way to wake him up. You may find his terrors easy to repel…but persistant.”
“Ooo, that sounds fun!”
“Seriously?”
Passing the next stone structure a bed with a sleeping Pelagius is seen.
“We have to wake him.”
“Guess we use this again huh?”
Fires a magic shot at the sleeping form. A few seconds later a wolf spawns and runs at Barix. He takes the staff and swings it at the wolf’s head sending it to the ground in yelping in pain.
“Hey! You don’t want to break it.”
“It’s a daedra artifact, there’s no way it will break that easily.”
Barix fires at the wolf and it turns into a goat. Again firing at Pelagius a tough looking bandit spawns nearby.
“Two down one to go.” Barix says as he and Pinkie enter the last path.
Pinkie was completely fine while Barix had some cut and burn marks on his cloths. Pelagius begins his narration as they walk forward.
“You see, Pelagius’ mother was…well…let us say ‘unique’. That woman wielded fear like a cleaver. Or did she wield a cleaver to make people afraid of her? I never could get that part right…. But she did teach her son well. Pelagius learned at young age that danger could come from anywhere and anyone.”
They climb a set of stone stairs to a small seating area overlooking an arena with two atronachs already fighting. Another Pelagius was across from them with others behind him watching.
“The objective is simple, you simpleton! Use your Wabbajack to defeat the enemy, while they do the same.”
“This is going to be easy.”
A few hours later Barix is sitting on one of the stone seats while Pinkie was using the staff to attack the atronachs below.
“Have you figured anything out yet?” Pinkie asks.
“Nothing. What about you? You seem to know things.”
“Nah, I got nothin.”
Barix was about to collapse in defeat when he takes a good look at Pelagius. He notices the ones behind him acting suspicious.
“Hey Pinkie, try and hit those people behind Pelagius.”
The pink mare shot at the people, when it hit they all turn into wolves.
“Oho! I thought you’d never figure it out. With the threat gone Pelagius is under the illusion that he is safe, which means you’ve helped him…but not really. Now it’s time to go home.”
“YES!”
Barix wastes no time jumping up and running to the center. Pinkie Pie following close. He gets close to Sheogorath.
“Do you mind? I’m doing the fishstick. It’s a very delicate state of mind.” Sheogorath explains.
“But Pelagius is fixed now.” Barix replies.
“ ‘Fixed’ is such a subjective term. ‘Treated’ is far more appropriate, don’t you think? Just like one would do to the flue or an arrow in the testicles. But no matter. You succeeded in your task and I am forced to honor my end of the bargain. Congratulations, you’re free to go. Oh, and keep the Wabbajack as a souvenir.”
Barix blacks out again. He wakes up in the wing with Pinkie staring at him. He stares back.
“Oh did you want me to say something? Well you just looked so peaceful I didn’t want to wake you. Here you go it’s got everything in it, I checked.”
Barix found that a day had passed when they were in that mad man’s mind. He proceeded to head straight to the bar as soon as he was wearing his normal cloths and burned the fancy ones. It was mid-evening and Barix was only starting to get his drunk on. Pinkie was doing the same.
“This stuff is weak. Where’s AJ when you need her?”
“Maybe but its strong enough for what I need from it, a memory wipe…hopefully.”
“Hello friend.” Barix turns to see a man in some robes. “You seem like the type to party hard. Care to take part in a drinking contest.”
“You bet I will. What are we drinkin?”
“It will be this fine brand, from my personal collection. We’ll each take a turn who ever last the longest is the winner. I’ll go first.” It wasn’t long before Barix was on the verge of passing out again. “Are you ok? You don’t look so good.”
Barix woke up again, but this time noticed Pinkie was snuggling up against him. Both he and the pink mare had their armor back on. A severe hangover quickly caught up to him as did the sound of someone yell, most likely at him.
“Get up lazy drunk. You have some explaining to do.” She was a clearly a temple worker. And by the looks of it he was in a temple of Dibella.
"I'm sorry miss. Please understand I had no control over my actions."
“Well…no real harm was done. Just pick up your trash. It’s over there.”
Barix looks at the parchment she was talking about. It was instructions from Sam, the guy he challenged to a drinking gaming to. But what stuck out the most were the three ingredients listed.
*Hagraven Feathers *Giants Toe *
“Did I happen to say anything interesting when I was drunk?”
“It was hard to make out but you did say something about a goat in Rorikstead.”
“Pinkie?” Barix notices the pink mare was gone but hears hopping. She was already half way to the door.
“What are you waiting for silly billy. That goat’s not going to find catch itself.”
From the temple in Markarth it was only an hour carriage ride to the small village.
“So what are we looking for now?” Pinkie Pie asks.
“I’m sure it will find us as long as we are here…and if I was that much of a fool last night.”
“You!” Barix and Pinkie turn to see a farmer just on the other side of a small wooden fence. “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing yourself around here after what you did. What do you have to say for yourself?”
“Uh…sorry?” Barix replies with great uncertainty.
“That’s not good enough. Not when my goat is still out there with that giant you sold her to. I’ll never breed another prize winning goat like her again.”
“Alright I’ll go get her back.”
“You’d better.”
They were off out of the town.
“What’s a giant?” Pinkie asks.
“It’s a tall and strong humanoid being. They usually keep to themselves unless something gets to close to their camps. It’s going to be really hard to take one of them down…if you’re not me that is.”
“Oooo, I sense confidence!” Pinkie replied in a sing-song manner.
“A little bit, but still, you should never let your guard down around them.”
Just over a small hill they spot the giant. The brute had its club in hand with the goat standing next to it. Barix began to formulate a plan.
“Pinkie how fast can you run?”
“About as fast as Dashie can fly.”
“Ok, how fast is that?”
“Really super-duper ultra-fast!”
“…So you’re fast…good. I’ll get the giant’s attention and you get the goat away from the giant. Once its safe come back, I might need your help depending on how it goes. Clear?”
“Crystal! I’ll wait here for the word.”
The fire ball hits the giant on the back. It spins around to see Barix charging it. The giant swings its down.
“WULD!” Barix rushes forward right under its legs. “Now Pinkie!”
Pinkie steps out from behind the goat. She picks it up and stuffs him in her tail. The giant sees this and stomps her in the ground.
“PINKIE!”
“Over here silly!” Both giant and Barix turn to see the mare making faces at the giant, to the great relief of Barix. The giant tried swinging at her but Barix wasn’t going to have that again.
“FUS! RO! DAH!”
The force pushes the giant off its feet and high into the shy…considering its size. The ground shook the point both Barix and Pinkie fell to the ground. Once he recovered, Barix gets up and finishes the giant.
Heading back to the village they give back the goat and the farmer tells them to go to Whiterun. Upon arriving they meet another person. Over the course of the next day Pinkie and Barix fought off a hagraven and a cult of mages. Barix went out of his way to return the items that were lost. Near the end of the ruined fort with the mages Barix blacks out again. He wakes up in a misty grove area.
Pinkie was just as normal, oddly enough both still had there armor and equipment. They start walking down the path that is laid out. Soon they come to a part scene and Pinkie Pie’s eyes light up like Hearths Warming Eve. The party pony entertains herself as a single person walks up to Barix.
“There you are. I was beginning to think you might not make it.” Sam tells Barix.
“It was a…rough trip. Where are we?”
“I didn’t think you would remember your first trip here. You had a bad night. I’d say you earned this staff.”
“I’ve got the things to repair the staff, the ones on the note.”
“Oh the feathers and so on. You can throw those out. You see…,” Sam changes into a daedric form, “I really just wanted something to encourage you to go out into the world and spread merriment around. That said I haven’t been so entertained in at least a hundred years.”
“Who are you?”
“I am Sanguine, Daedric Prince of Debauchery. How could I lie to you is probably what you’re thinking. Well how could I trust you until we share a drink together? Before long, I realized you’d make a more interesting bearer of my staff than this waist of flesh.”
“Thank…I guess.”
“My pleasure friend. But I think you should go, it’s not so fun keeping you locked up here with the staff.”
Before his eyes Barix was transported back to Solitude, outside the main gates. Pinkie stops in midair as she realized she was no long at the party.
“Aw, bummer.”
“That’s it we are going home!”
“Why didn’t we say so in the first place? Take my hoof.”
Barix was hesitant on this but decided to just get it over with. He took her hoof. She pulled him down to the ground.
“Pinkie, what did you do that…for?”
Barix was in front of his house. He gets up very slowly and starts walking inside.
“Forget this I have a headache.”
“Where have were you,? It’s been days now!” Twilight was yelling at Barix.
“Lay off I had a hard time.”
“Pinkie what did you do?” The lavender mare asks.
“It’s a secret.”
Twilight, knowing she won’t get anything from her, talks to Barix again. Pinkie jumps in front of the camera grabs it and…wait what are you doing?
“Ok look I like my friends and all, but you will vote for me. Do you understand?”
It was the next day that Barix was able to set out for the college. Twilight had gotten up early in anticipation, she had already gotten her things ready as well as putting on her robes. They were expertly fitted around her, attached around her neck and over her back. There was enough to cover her body but not enough to where she could trip on the ends.
After Barix had gathered his normal dragon style gear they both set off. Considering the time constraints Barix summons Arvak and Shadowmare, his loyal steeds, and hooks them up to his cart so they can pull it. It wasn't long before Twilight began her questioning.
“Sooo…nice weather.”
“Just spit it out. What do you want to say?”
“Well that's the thing I don't know where to start. There's so much I wanted to ask.”
“Start with the biggest then work down.”
“Ok, your dragon shout. Why won't you teach me that type of magic?”
“Because I can't.”
“Then explain why others have learned that magic like the Grey Beards and another person called Stormcloak.”
“…Alright, you got me. I don't want to train you.”
"What? But why?"
“Because it would take too long. The training required for someone who isn't the dragonborn would take a life time to learn. The grey beards have spent their entire lives sheltered just to learn it. And that one guy only studied it long enough to learn one shout. It will take a life time to teach even if you are magically adept. In short I don't want to waste your life learning a skill you might not use.”
“I guess it’s only natural that you don't know but I am an alicorn. As such I can live forever. That and I don't mind learning something new, not only that but it's very hard for me to get bored.”
“Is that so? Well, whether it is true or not I have no choice but to believe you. If you really want to learn the way of the voice…I will teach you.”
Twilight's face lit up like a defeated flame atronach.
“But first what else did you have to talk about.”
“Oh right,” She quickly calmed herself down, “Going over what my friends have said and the research into this world I've noticed you tend to be involved in, how should I put this…in mixed loyalties to each organization you crossed paths with.”
“I see what you mean. But yes, I guess I do. It's not that I have mixed loyalties but I just have mixed views on the world. Take the Legion for example. You say you've talked to your friends so you know about me and the general. I do hold true to the Legion, it is the only thing keeping the Dominion out of Skyrim. That said I will encourage others to keep their own beliefs, as long as they keep it a secret. For the most part, the Legion is right in what they do, the people of Skyrim are just too ignorant and proud to really know or care. That's where I come in. Does that answer your question?”
“I believe so. I assume you use the same logic and understanding for every group you've been in, which would make sense for almost everything.”
“When you said you talked to your friends...what did Applejack and Rainbow say about me?”
“I don't know what you mea-OH. You don't have to worry Barix, they did tell us that things happened between you but nothing else was said. If you want to let us know something you will tell us. We have no reason to suspect you of being a bad human.”
“That's good to hear.” Barix felt a weight lift off his shoulders. “He wasn't ready for all of them to find out just yet. Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?”
“Just one...it's a little scary to think about but...what if I don't find what I'm looking for?”
“Then I have one more lead we can try. Just pray I doesn't come to that. For now let's get your mind off that and begin your training.”
It was the end of the day when the two travelers ended up in Winterhold. Barix stood at the front entrance to the college with Twilight at his side.
“What do you think?”
“Eh, the magic school I went to was bigger.”
“...Just follow me.”
“Wait! It's still impressive.” Twilight yells as Barix walks ahead in angry annoyance.
Barix shows Twilight the library and the spare bedrooms for new novice mages in learning. After a quick talk about not staying up too late, Barix heads up to the arch mages quarters. Seems they haven't found a new arch mage yet. As he took off his armor Barix thought how much he would miss the six ponies that saved his life. It was normally hot in the arch mages quarters so Barix does his normal routine of stripping down to nothing and goes to bed. That was the easy part, getting up in the morning was a different story. Twilight comes busting in screaming her head off.
“BARIX! BARIX GET UP! WHERE ARE YOU!?! There you are, GET UP!
Twilight grabs the sheet in her mouth and rips it off the bed to see a very particular object poke up near her head. Once she realized what it was, her face grew a deep red. Before she could think of what to do next she found herself in a choke hold.
“DIE INTRUDER DI-Twilight? What are you doing here?”
“Breathing...breathing...,” Her voice got weak as she talked. Barix finally let go, pushing her off the bed and pulling it up so they can't see each other. Twilight was still cough a little from the hold.
“Mind telling me what you're doing up here,” he looks towards the nearest window, “and so early at that?”
(cough) “First, what is that mark on your flank?”
“My what?”
“Your rear end.”
“Its...we'll talk about it later. What's the real reason you came up here?’
“Oh yeah, I've found out what we need to do to go back home!”
“Really?” Barix put the bed down and had cloths on, “How?”
“It took several books but I found the ones with the instructions we need. Twilight says as she uses her magic to push a couple books in front of the dragonborn. All we need to do is find 7 different things called Daedric Artifacts and 7 Dragon Claws. Once aligned properly it will allow us to go back home! So how hard do you think it would be to gather these artifacts?”
“......Pretty fucking hard considering both types of items are scattered throughout Skyrim. The claws are almost all in underground tombs while we have to go to daedra's for their own specially crafted items! Just on your basic knowledge of my world how long do you think it would take to gather what you need?”
“A few weeks?” The lavender mare was hesitant to answer.
“TRY A FEW YEARS IF YOU'RE LUCKY!” Barix drops to the floor, already exhausted for what's to come. “How am I going to pull this off?”
“However you do it,” Twilight walks close to Barix, “you don't have to do it alone.” She offered him a friendly smile and he replied back with a smile that had some sadness. “But can we start in the morning? I'm tired.”
In the morning, or rather mid-day, they met in the local tavern to discuss the plans over some drinks. Barix being the only one that was drinking.
“Should you be drinking this early in the day?”
“Yes. Just tell me about the spell.”
“Ok, it works like this,” Twilight opens the book up to the page with a picture of the spell along with it, "the symbol of the spell is the same as we did it back in Equestria, that's not the problem. It's the magical energies in this world that makes a big difference. All or most of the magical gates seem to be closed. That's where the dragon claws come in, we will need those to open the gate back home.
“Makes sense, even here they are used as keys to open doors. What about the artifacts?”
“The magical stability here is also questionable. The artifacts will act as a stabilizer so we all make it back home and in one piece.”
“Ok, so we have to find seven of the rarest keys known to civilization and seven very powerful Daedric Artifacts in time to get you home as soon as possible. How hard can it be?”
“As much as I'd like to get home soon there's no real time limit, we're not going to die or anything. Plus you already have two artifacts.”
“Three including two claws.”
“WHAT!”
“Besides the two staffs I recently acquired I have the Ring of Hircine.” Barix shows her the ring already on his finger. “It allows the bearer to undergo more transformations to a werewolf, if you were one of course. As for the two claws I have the diamond and sapphire claws. I can get a third easily, it's the golden claw in Riverwood, but it's more trouble to pick it up now than let the owner hold on to it for a while longer.”
“So now we just need 4 artifacts and 5 claws. If we look hard enough how long do you think we can gather them?”
“If the gods are on our side...a year or two. If not...”
“I see.”
“No use sitting here feeling sorry for ourselves. Let's get moving. I'll meet you at the cart after I check with the local merchant.”
Twilight set in the cart with Shadowmare and Arvak already attached to the cart. She was wrapped in some blankets trying to shield herself from the blizzard. Barix was talking a little longer than she thought so thinking of some way to spend time, the cold mare thought of one thing.
“So, Shadowmare, is that your real name?”
The black horse in question only turns to see the lavender pony and let out a loud exhale of breath then turns back forward.
“Is that so?” Dead pan.
“Twilight look!”
She does so to see Barix holding a new Dragon Claw.
“You found one! Where was it?”
“The store owner here had one and wanted to get rid of it badly. Now let's get out of here.”
They set off. Twilight starts more of her training, or lack of, would be a better term.
“What do you mean that's it?”
“If all you get from Thu'um is 'shout' then I can't teach you the next step.”
“But it doesn't mean anything else. The translation is shout and that's it.”
“The translation yes, but you need to think deeper than just simple language change.”
“Fine,” Twilight's shivering had reached a new level, “but I don't know how I can think when I'm this cold.”
“Why didn't you say so?” The dragon warrior got up and sat next to the mare. “Here sit on my lap.” She was skeptical on what he was going to do. “You want to get warm right?”
Twilight slowly steps onto his lap trying to keep the blanket on her. Once on, Barix moves the blanket over the both of them then wraps his arms around her pulling her close to a tight embrace. Before she could ask what he was doing her whole body began to warm up rapidly. She felt as though Celestia's sun was high in the sky, the warm rays reaching her, making her glow. Soon she felt herself slipping into sleep...only to be woken up violently.
“Twilight, we got trouble!”
No sooner Barix said that then the cart was flipped over on its side. Both warrior and mage were now exposed to the cold. On closer inspection the cart was broken in half, the two summoned horses dead and disappearing, the snow had stopped but was still on the ground, and two giants were behind them.
“Are you ok?” Barix asks.
“Yeah I'm fine.” Twilight replies.
“Run I'll take care of them.”
“I'm not leaving you here with them.”
The closer one, with its club in the air, swings it straight down on Barix. As his life flashed before his eyes another flash of lavender light appeared before him. When it faded Twilight was standing over him on her hind legs holding the club in place. She looks back with a face of strain, desperation, and pain.
“You can help too you know.”
He didn't need anything else said to him. Getting his mind in combat mode he stood up, almost in a blur, and shouts at the top of his lungs.
“MUL! QAH! DIIV!”
Barix was encased in a mystical set of dragon armor on his whole body. The newly armored warrior ran forward, pushing both of the giant's legs, knocking him to the ground. After a small earthquake the second one steps forward attempting to swing it's club at the warrior. Twilight flew straight up and was attacking it with fire balls.
It was enough to knock it off balance and stop it from swinging. Barix pulls out his greatsword as he moves to the giants legs. Slicing both fore legs off it fell to the ground landing it's head on a well placed greatsword by Barix.
The victorious dragonborn abandons his weapon for now turning to see a half frozen giant still being blasted by Twilight with blizzard spells.
“LISS! SLEN! NUS!”
The giant was now completely frozen. Twilight looks to her helper.
“Would you like to do the honors?” Barix asks.
“I would love to.”
Twilight dives for the giant and shutters its head into a thousands of ice pieces with a single hoof. They each took a minute to calm down and gather what was still salvageable. After they began to walk on leaving the battlefield behind.
“How did you learn those spells? If I remember correctly, through my painful recovery, I believe you said you don't know any combat spells.”
“I did have plenty of time to read and you had several books on different spells. Sorry about your cart though.”
“I guess its fine. But those things are expensive. Let's just get home in one piece. Oh before I forget did you always possess strength like a dragon?”
“No. It's new like my wings.”
“Alicorn?”
“Yes. But I wasn't sure I could pull it off.”
“Wait, you put yourself in harm’s way for me not knowing for sure you could stop that thing?!”
“Umm...yes.”
“By the nine.” Barix signed and face palmed. “I need you to tell me about each of your species? It would help with planning and strategy later on. Even keeping you six alive.”
“Ok but first can you tell me what that mark was on your flank. I mean your-um…”
“I get it, and if you must know it’s a mark I’ve had since I can remember. A dragon claw with flames behind it. I think it has something to do with me being a dragonborn but I’ve never told anyone about it.”
“Mind if I take a look at it sometime.”
Barix his walking and stares daggers at Twilight who was taken aback especially after what her ‘subject’ was thinking about her.
“Not like that! Definitely not like that. Pure scientific.”
“…I’ll think about it…let’s keep moving.”
In a two days, with a rest stop in Whiterun, they made it to the manor and was greeted by the gang. Lydia was the first to talk to Barix while the six pony talked together.
“Anything interesting happen this time?”
“Not as much as last time. We need a new cart though.”
“Don’t tell me it was the giant’s again.” Barix didn’t need to say anything. “I'll send for a new order. Anything else?”
“Yes, give word to any mercenary and merchant you see. I am looking for the dragon claw keys and am willing to pay top coin for any of them. We need them for the spell to get them back home.”
“My thane are you sure you want to do this?”
“They have a chance to go back home,” Barix turns to see the ponies laughing about something, “you know as well as I do I would give anything to know what my true home is.”
“As you wish my thane. I'll spread the word as fast as I can.”
“Good that will be your mission. Tomorrow, the rest of us set off for the Daedric Artifacts.”
It's been three weeks since Barix and his new companions set off for the Daedric Artifacts and Dragon Claws. No progress has been made since then. The group of warrior's had gone to every Hold in Skyrim requesting the assistance of the Jarls. Thanks to some key persuading, plus a bribe or two, they were able to get everyone's help in the search. Still with all the help, progress is at a standstill.
On the other side of things the group itself was doing a great job improving themselves on all fronts in, even being blessed by a Standing Stone of there own.
Twilight Sparkle has mastered both Enchantment and Alchemy. She has also learned a number of spells from different tomes and the teachings of her latest mentor, Barix. Having plenty of time the lavender mare used it to enchant the armor of her friends. The funds from their adventures helped greatly with soul gems. Twilight had gone so far in enchanting she is now able to change the color of an object. This made all the ponies excited. Her robes are now a lavender color to compliment her coat. Barix was thrown for a loop at just how far she had come. Twilight even managed to form her own understanding of a Thu'um, moving her to the next phase of her lesson, Unrelenting Force. She took the blessing of the Mage Stone.
Rarity was a somewhat different case. She was constantly talking about how her looks have gone down the drain. Twilight was able to create some beauty products using her alchemy skills but, even though she looks the same to everyone else, the drama queen swears she looks worse. That didn't stop her from taking up archery. With some help from her favorite sorcerer, some archery enchantments were made to her armor as well as magic defense. The statlement stone is a darker shade of purple and the metal is snow white. Being the groups archer she was blessed with the Lady Stone.
Applejack went far in the field of hand to hand...or hand to hoof combat, especially with larger weapons. Thanks to tons of training sessions with Barix the country mare is now able to take on seven trolls...on a good day...maybe with some supervision. She had her armor colored a bright red, saying it reminded her off home. She also stopped wearing the helmet, instead replacing it with her brown stenson hat she originally wore. To help her in a fight she took the blessing of the Steed Stone.
Nothing much has changed when it came to Pinkie Pie. This pony seemed to help, get help, or fight off anything that she encountered with her nonstop talking, at least most of the time. Barix learned about the Pinkie Sense, he just decided to leave it alone. Pinkie's armor is Enchanted with...something, it seems to keep changing, but her armor color stayed the same, a bright pink. She chose the Lord Stone.
Fluttershy opened up more ever since the Silver Hand indecent. She had used her ability of speaking to animals to have some keep an eye on the house with Lydia and some other to keep an eye out for any Dragon Claws, Barix thought it a waste but didn’t argue the point. She had become the treasure hunter of the group. Whenever they cleared out a cave or dungeon of bandits or undead she stayed to the back looking for coins and gems, usually with Rarity and Pinkie Pie by her side. The enchantments she had put on her armor was all resistance to attacks, both physical and magical. The color, to Rarity's insistence, is a natural green and had chosen the blessing of the Shadow Stone.
Rainbow Dash is the one that improved the most physically, at least she says so. As the days progress she is able to carry herself with the Nordic armor on longer and longer. Barix has yet to see the fabled Sonic Rainboom her friends have talked about. For enchantments the flyer wanted a wide range of extra skills. Instead she settled for increased stamina, physical resistance, increased healing rate, and lastly some magical resistance. She wanted to have her colors changed to rainbows but no matter what Twilight did, it just wasn't possible, so Dash went for a cyan color to go with her coat. To make sure Applejack didn’t surpass her, Dash chose the Warrior Stone.
The group had left Whiterun and we're now on their way to Markarth. They had stopped for info on the rare items but to no surprise, none of the merchants or towns folk knew anything. While in Whiterun Barix tried to stay away from the Companions. He told his friends about the falling out he had with them and they understood.
It was mid-day as the group of adventurers sat in the new cart Barix bought as Shadow Mare and Arvak were pulling it through the main road on a mostly clear day.
“Where are we headed now?” Rainbow Dash asked in sudden curiosity.
“We're going to Markarth. It's the last city on second round trip that we haven't checked with.” Barix replies.
“I truly hope we find something soon. I don't know how much longer I can last without me fabulous silk pajamas and my copy of 'The Good and The Dirty'.” Rarity was complaining again.
The reactions among her friends were varied. Barix was confused, Fluttershy was a little red, Twilight face palmed-or face hoofed, Pinkie sat with an oblivious smile, and Rainbow and Applejack just shrugged it off.
“What? I like a good romance novel. Don't judge me.” The elegant mare said back to her friends.
“So Barix,” Twilight was a little desperate to change the conversation, “from my understanding we should be seeing allot more dragons but we only saw one, that encounter just a week ago.”
“Actually that was my second look at one.” Dash adds her two cents.
“True, the dragon activity has gone down by a significant amount since Alduin's defeat. That might have a big party of it. Most of them were on his side, it wouldn't be out of the question if most of the dragons left for lands unknown, are now in a deep sleep, or changed sides all together. Still the threat of a dragon attack is a very really threat.”
“They'll need to think twice before messing with us or I'll open a big can of hurt all over there flanks.” The cyan pegasus was showing off her aerial moves as she was talking.
“Settle down there tiger. We ain't even found one yet. Sides, we've got more important this ta worry bout, like getin those artifacts.”
“Exactly,” Barix had a determined look in his eyes, “and this time I have a good feeling well find something.”
“I hope you're right,” Twilight shifts her gave to the horizon, “I don't know how long Equestrian can last without us.”
It took about half the day for the group of warriors to reach the walled city of Markarth. Upon arrival Barix made a quick stop at the market selling what he didn't need. Barix noticed something odd about some of the veneers but was too busy to care. He and his comrades head up towards the Jarls Palace when someone was asking him a question.
“Excuse me sir have you seem anyone going into this building?”
“No I haven't.” Barix was still walking away.
“Barix, wait!” Twilight yells at the dragonborn.
“What?”
“This is a Vigil of Stendarr. If anyone would have a leaf on daedra it would be them.”
“That's party of the reason I'm here, the vigil warrior continued, I believe this house is home to a daedra. I just need some backup incase this get too hairy in here.”
“Sir, your backup just arrived.” Barix told the warrior with great confidence.
“Excellent! We better move in right away before that thing has time to escape.”
As the warrior headed inside Barix turns to his companions.
“Alright here's the plan, Twilight, Pinkie, and Rainbow your coming in with me. AJ, Rarity, and Fluttershy you three stay here. Make sure nothing else comes in unless it's more Stendarr warrior's. I don't want anyone surprising us from behind.”
“YES! First daedra mission, and I'm on it.” Rainbow shot a smug look toward the county mare who then replied back to her.
“Well have fun facing a possible immortal creature that could tear yer head off in the blink of an ah.”
“That's right, it's no joke. This is the first real lead we've had since the beginning. We have to face the possibility that a Daedric Prince is behind this. Be on your guard for anything. Let's move.”
That small speech waned Rainbow's enthusiasm, but not by much. The selected warriors head inside to find a fair up kept living quarter's complete with fresh food. This troubled Barix slightly.
“Stay alert, that demented daedra could be anywhere.” The Vigil of Stendarr already had his mace at the ready in one hand and a spell in the other.
As the group proceeded forward Rainbow got out her cyan Nordic sword, Pinkie pulls out a pink dwarven dagger, Twilight retrieves a fireball staff from her satchel, and finally Barix unsheathes his dragonbone sword and prepares a healing spell. The four daedra hunters travel from room to room going deeper into the house. The house itself them begins to shake. Bracing themselves, the warriors hold there ground waiting for anything to happen, but to no avail. Even the house stops shaking.
“What was that!” The cyan speedster yelled with some worry in her voice.
“It must be the daedra. It knows we're here.” The vigil said as he puts is guard up even further.
“Is it giving us a house party?” Pinkie randomly asks.
“Not very likely.” Twilight responds. “Barix, I feel a strong evil presence, do you think it's the daedra?”
“Must be.”
The house soon a little harder than last but this time objects around them began to levitate and throw themselves at the warrior's. Some weapons were thrown at them but we're dodged in the nic of time.
“Stendarr's mercy. This is no ordinary daedra! We have to leave and come back with help.”
They all head to the door but when they get to it the door was locked. An ominous voice spoke from everywhere.
“He's weak. You're strong. Crush him.”
“You hear that?” Barix asks.
“Get out of our heads daedra!”
“What are you two talking about, we don't hear anything.” Dash as well as her friends were confused.
“You will kill. You will kill him or you will die.” The voice was present again to only Barix and the Vigil.
“No, I don't want to die.” As the Vigil spoke Barix thought the worst might happen as the pony companions began to worry. “The daedra has us. It's you or me.”
As he took out his mace Barix unsheathed his sword but the Vigil was much faster than Barix as he was able to gain leverage on the dragonborn. Barix was barely able to hold the mace from smashing his face in with the sword, he was forced to his knees while also being forced to use both hands. Twilight and her friends were about to help when the Vigil cast's a spell.
The Vigil's hand was surrounded by a dark purple aura. He lifts his hand to the herd of three. As soon as he did they were sent flying back to the wall with that same purple glow around their necks. Barix knew that spell, a little too well in fact. In one quick motion he released his grip with one hand, preforming that same spell, pushing the light turned dark warrior to the wall. The others, now released from the spell saw Barix and his slightly green eyes.
“WULD!”
Barix rushed forward with the speed of a tempest, jamming his sword right through his enemy’s chest. The hilt of the sword threatening to crush his chest, the blade reaching into the stone wall itself. Barix pulls the sword or, sheathing it as he makes his way to the others, his eyes returning to normal.
“You girls ok?”
“Yeah, but what spell was that?” Rainbow Dash was quick with the questions.
“I know. It was telekinesis,” Twilight turns to Barix, “right?”
“Correct. Only the higher level mages and wizards know that spell as it’s hard to come by.” Barix hears to voice speak to him again.
“Congratulations warrior. Your reward is waiting for you mortal. Further down.”
“What was that?” Twilight yells out.
“You can hear it now?” Barix asks in surprise.
“Hello Molag.” Everyone ignored Pinkie.
“It must be one of those artifacts, let's go!” After Twilight was done talking, she ran deeper into the abandon house.
“Oooo! Wait for me.” Pinkie was right behind her along with the two other friends behind them. The lavender mare ran through the rooms with a surprising quickness. Pinkie Pie started to shake, almost as if she was seizing. “Hold on a second guys.”
Barix and Rainbow stop right behind her as Twilight kept moving forward. Something bad is going to happen. Her voice was a little shaky from...her shaking, of course.
“Oh no full body shake. Pinks, do you know what it is.” Rainbow put on a worried look.
“Is that the Pinkie Sense again? Please tell me is something good.” The stress already building in Barix giving him a slight headache.
“All I know for sure is that it's another doozy.”
Barix runs further already having put the pieces together. A small tunnel was found in the lady room. Swallowing back any fear that he might of had, Barix steps inside. A few more turns he saw Twilight reach for a pedestal.
“Twilight, wait! IT'S A TRAP!”
As soon as those words were spoken metal bars that looked like scrawny demon fingers came up from a small, round platform in the ground. Twilight gasped and retreated herself in terror, Barix runs up to her new prison cell, punching it furiously as Pinkie and Rainbow came up from behind. Barix and his dragon fueled punches weren't making a scratch.
“What are you doing? Stop that.” The cyan flyer practicality hover in front of Barix to stop him then turns to her scared lavender friend. “Twilight calm down, just teleport yourself out.”
“Oh yeah”. With a slight blush of embarrassment she teleports out but was then teleported right back in. “Ah! What's going on?”
“AAAHHH!” BARIX couldn't help but yell out as he tries to pry the bars open.
“MUL!”
The dragonscale gloves were surrounded in a magical armor that increased his strength by ten fold. Not that it mattered, even with the newly acquired strength could break the cell.
“Put your back into it we have to get her out.” Rainbow started scolding Barix.
“What do you think I'm trying to do!?!”
“Foolish mortals. Did you really think Molag Bal, Lord of Domination, would so easily reward you?” It was the voice again,
“Give her back to us you meany pants!” Intimidation wasn't one of Pinkie's special talents.
“Let down your cage now daedra!”
“So, you like to make enemies do you? It's a favorite hobby of mine as well. Let me show you how.”
Twilight starts yelling in pain as electricity shocked her from nowhere. Barix, Rainbow, and Pinkie try but fail to move the iron bars even a little. Twilight's fur was starting to burn, her friends crying for the helpless mare trapped inside. It seemed like forever before the shock wave subsided leaving a quivering pile of what used to be a strong mare.
“Now that I have your attention I have a matter that needs resolving. If you wish to see your friend alive you we do what I say.”
Barix looks up at the cave ceiling, as if looking at the Daedric Prince in question. Only, he was looking up with dark green eyes with a face that could kill the devil itself. His next words were those of a desperate man filled with the all rage in Skyrim.
“What do you want?”
“My rival, Boethiah, had her priest desecrate an artifact of mine and left it to rot on this pedestal. I need you to find him and bring him back.”
“Revenge is it?”
“No. What I seek is submission. To see him broken and begging for mercy. Do this and I shall give back your pet.”
Barix looks at the weakened mare laying down on the cell. As she stared back his gaze lightened up some.
“Don’t worry Twilight, I’ll be back as soon as I can. Stay strong.”
With a nod of understanding the angry warrior turns away, not even noticing the teary eyed cyan flyer or the way Pinkie’s mane was no longer it’s bouncy self but straight. The ponies had to pray themselves away to follow Barix out of the house.
Outside the house Rarity was pacing back and forth as Applejack leaned against the house, Fluttershy laying on her stomach next to the country mare. Rarity was concerned for her friends inside. AJ’s words didn’t seem to make a difference.
“Rarity, Ah’ve said it almost uh million times by now and ah ain’t gonna say it again. Stop worryin so much.”
“But how could I not be. Our friends are up against a daedra for Celestia’s sake. Who knows what could happen.”
“What about Barix? He can protect them…r-right?” Fluttershy meekly added.
“Exactly. There’s him Twi, Dash and Pinkie in there. Nothin’s gonna happen. And if they do face uh daedra, why Ah wouldn’t be surprised if they came out with an artifact in the next few minutes.”
Just then a loud bang shot in the air along with the door to the inside. It flew to the other side of the street slamming into the stone wall nearly missing Rarity by an inch or two. Barix came running out heading to the city entrance. Dash and Pinkie came out right after him, looking like someone just killed Tank and Gummy.
“What in tarnation!?!”
“Can’t talk, got to go.” Barix barley said that before speeding off.
“You’re not leaving without me!” Dash flew in hot pursuit.
“Oh hay, guess Ah’ll get answers later.” Applejack was right behind the duo.
“What! What about-,” a spell book and a key was thrown landing in front of the remaining three ponies, “-us?” Rarity levitated them in front of the group looking at the book. “Clairvoyance? And a key?”
“What if they go together?”
“Worth a shot.”
Rarity opens the spell tome.
Barix was outside with AJ and RD with him. He was slicing the reins off of Shadow Mare and getting on as he was talking to the two mares.
“What happened?”
“Short version, Twilight’s captured and I have to find someone and bring him back to set her free.”
“What about the other’s? We can’t just leave them behind.” Dash was showing her element.
“I need to find him NOW! If you want to come fine, but don’t expect me to slow down. The others will be fine.”
“Alright, if one uh our friends are in trouble Ah’ll be glad to lend a helpin hoof.”
“Count me in too.”
“Then let’s go.”
Barix lightly kicks the side of his trusty steed who then speeds off away from the city of stone. The two mare’s running alongside him.
“So where are we goin away how?”
“Where ever this leads me.”
Barix casts a spell, the one that would have otherwise left him lost many other times without it, Clairvoyance. In front of the three was a light purple mana trial. Barix had it, and soon he would find Boethiah.
Rarity learned the spell as soon as she opened the cover of the book. She was now guiding her two friends, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, to an unknown destination by a path marked with a violet guide light. It was towards the top of the city of stone, up a number of staircases. When the trio got the top they were met with a door. Right above the door read Vlindrel Hall, as it did on the key. She inserted the key.
Opening the door they were greeted with a very cozy Dwarven style setting. Beginning with a short hallway it opened up into a living quarters and then separated into different smaller rooms. Before they could go any further a man dressed in steel armor approaches them.
“Who or what are you and what are you doing here?”
“We need a place to stay. We are friends of Barix, he gave us this key to use. If there’s nothing else we have work to do. Step aside if you please.” Rarity tells the nord housecarl as they proceed in the house.
The housecarl, or Argis the Bulwark, steps aside confused as ever. The three ponies make their way to the table taking a seat.
“Ok darling, now can you tell us what happened in there?”
Pinkie tried her best not to look her friends in the eyes. The other two were getting worried that the worst possible thing had happened. After a couple minutes Pinkie finally spoke up.
“I think you girls should see for yourselves. In the deepest part of the house you’ll find Twilight.”
Rarity and Fluttershy stare at each other in an uncomfortable silence. Pinkie puts her head in her hooves lightly sobbing. Her friends try to cheer the pink pony up a little before heading off. They walk down back to the abandon house. Once inside they walk further down into the depths of the building. Stepping into the cave they saw her.
Twilight was laying down in the demonic prison with the burn marks adorning her body. They stare in horror at the site of their friend in such a state. Twilight herself was just barely able to make out the two figure’s in front of her as the canary and white mare’s.
“Oh…girls…it’s you…. D-do you have any potions on you…magic doesn’t seem to work in here.”
It took a second for the request to register but once it did they both furiously searched their satchels for any kind of healing potion. Fluttershy was the first to pull a red healing potion out, gently lifting up the opening to her mouth. Twilight slowly swallowed the warm soothing liquid. Almost instantly some of the burns on her body healed. Now it was Rarity’s turn healing even more burns. The lavender alicorn could now see her friends in full and stand on all fours. Still a little weak she leans against the bars to hold herself up.
“Thank you girls I needed that.”
“Twilight dear, what in Celestia’s name happened?”
Barix dismounted Shadowmare. A tired Applejack stood next to him along with an exhausted Rainbow Dash who was currently wheezing on the ground.
“Where are we?” Applejack was out of breath but not enough to hinder her speech.
“We’re outside of a forsworn camp. This is where the priest is being held. Wait here I’ll be back.” Barix couldn't have sounded more serious.
“Ah don’t think so. We came to help and we’re helpin.” Applejack was firm with her resolve.
“Look at you. You’re tired, Dash can’t move, and I need to get this priest as fast as possible. stay here and guard Dash until I get back.”
Barix pull’s out his dragonbone sword and runs into the forest. Applejack, slightly bored having to watch over her friend, sits on the ground next to the recovering mare.
“Ya know ya wouldn’t be in this mess if ya picked the Steed Stone like ah did.” Rainbow seemed to have enough energy left to roll her eye’s at the farm pony. An arrow shot down nearly missing both of them. “What the hay! Who’s that?!”
She looks up to see a forsworn aiming another arrow from high in the tree. AJ had just enough time to move her hoof up to her face before taking the arrow through her skull, deflecting it easily with her armor.
“Great, just what we need. Don’t ya fret none Rainbow, I’ll keep this one busy until Barix get’s back.”
Shadow mare runs to the tree and kicks it hard. The sudden vibration sent the forsworn tumbling to the ground, an audible snap was heard as she struck dirt.
Barix was running through the camp slamming, cutting, and shouting his way past everything the forsworn had to throw at him. Nothing could stop him. It was the same way when he was heading off to defeat Alduin. He could do anything because he had something to fight for. The only thing was, it was a little different now.
He was coming up to a large skin tent when a Briarheart walks out of it ready to fight with two axes in hand. The humanized beast was currently running straight for Barix, but instead of raising his own sword, he put it back into it’s sheathe. Only when his enemy got close enough to swing a greatsword at, did he put his plan into motion.
“TIID! KLO!”
Time around Barix slowed drastically. He did as well, but not nearly as much as the Briarheart in front of him. Using his lessons on unarmed combat from the brotherhood he was easily able to disarm, dismember, and decapitate the enemy within seconds. once done he entered the tent to find a man in a robe on his knees with his hands tied behind his back.
“You there. Are you here to kill me, the mighty Logrolf.”
“No I’m here to rescue you, in a sense.”
“Rescue? What do you mean? When I was taken no one knew where I was located.”
Barix had to think for a second on how to reply. He knew how to get the priest on his side.
“Boethiah sent me.”
“Boethiah? Wait...of course! Molag Bal’s alter. Quick cut me loose.” Barix did so. “Now I’m off to Markarth. Move out of my way, I have a task to complete.”
Logrolf rushes out of the tent. A flash of light coupled with a soft bang sound alerted Barix that a spell had been cast. Walking out the tent he didn’t see the priest at all. Must of teleported away. Taking a sniff in the air he noticed that the only forsworn left in the camp where near-
“Applejack! Rainbow Dash!”
Barix ran as fast as he could to the entrance. The two mares ran were hiding behind the carcase of a dead Shadowmare that was full of arrows while continuing to be shot at repeatedly by forsworn.
“FUS! RO! DAH!”
The shock wave flowed out of Barix, the sweet surge of power flowing through him like the blood rush as a werewolf. It sent the tree climbing enemies, along with the tree tops in the path of the shout, far off into the horizon. Where they’ll land only the gods can tell. Noticing that no more arrows were being shot at them AJ pushed the dead horse off her seeing Barix standing there.
“Having fun?”
“Yeah, ah love hidin under yer dead horse while bein pelted by arrows. Are ya done yet?”
“Yes now we just to go back to Ma-”
“BEHIND YOU!”
Dash yells out as a Briarheart and two other forsworn came up from behind Barix. It was a surprise even to him that he didn’t have time to even react. He got knocked down by a mace to the head. The Briarheart took control over Barix, zapping him with a lightning spell. The two grunts had both the mares on the ground. Having Barix in the ground they couldn’t do much at all.
“You will pay for what you have done to my people worm!” The leader yells out as he readies another spell, frost type by the smell of it.
Barix knew he had only one choice but was doubting on unleashing it. He looks towards AJ for some advice. Seeing her face and the expression she had was all that Barix needed. His eye’s turned a dark green as he let the deadly beast inside come forth.
As the Briarheart was about to release his spell, a shadow hand came up from the ground. it grabbed hold of both his hands and ripped them off with the force that could rival that of a dragon tearing at his limbs. Two shadow swords manifested themselves in front of the grunts, getting shoved right threw their chests then moving up from there cutting the heads in half vertically.
Barix grab’s his enemy by the ankle lifting him off the ground as he got up. There wasn’t much left of him as them tree truck that he was smashed into held most of his blood. Barix takes a look over his shoulder to see that the farm pony had at some point covered both her and her friends eye’s, most likely to hide the sight of what Barix had done to ones about to kill them.
“I have to leave now but I won’t leave you unprotected. Find your way back to Markarth when you can.”
“AJ I think it’s fine now.”
“NO!” She held her friend even closer than before. “Trust me you don’t want to see him like that.”
“Barix is gone.” An unfamiliar voice was heard by the mares. They look, well Applejack looks and Rainbow pushes her hoof out of the way, to see a spectral being. “I am Lucien Lachance, and I will help you get back to Markarth.”
“...Ok. Dash can ya move?”
“A little, But I’m still pretty tired.”
“Ya can ride on mah back until ya gain some strength. We’d better move. Don’t want ta be out at night do ya?”
Inside of the Markarth homestead, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie were making a picnic to take back to their trapped friend in the abandon house. Pinkie’s hair was still down but now she had a tiny smile on her face, signaling that she was feeling better. Rarity was just adding the last pieces to the indoor picnic as all three friends were talking.
“Oh I just know this will bring a smile to Twilight’s face. Hopefully those three won’t take so long.” Rarity said.
“Knowing them it won’t be, but still, the sooner the better.” Pinkie replied with some hurt still in her voice.
“Are you almost done in there Fluttershy? We don’t want to keep our dear friend waiting.” Rarity called to her friend in the other room.
“Yes, almost.” She was gathering a couple more healing potions and some napkins for the meal.
Someone, or rather something, starts banging on the main door to the house in a fury to get in. The two mares in eyesight of the door stared at it scared of what was going to come in. Argis stands to look at the door in question. He motions for them to hide.
“Do you know of an emergency exit?” Rarity says, mimicking Fluttershy’s normal tone of voice.
“There isn’t one for this house. If it comes down to it, I will hold them off as you escape.”
“What about you?”
“I don’t need to explain myself to you why I do things. Just know it is because I am loyal to Barix.”
The bangs stop and everyone freezes. Organic statues are all that take up the space in the house. The door is knocked down by one more hit.
Barix had returned to Markarth. Taking a quick look he didn’t see Logrolf but knew exactly where to find him. Barix enters the abandon house and hears the sound of two people having a talk. But it sounded more like a corrupted face off. As he descended into depths of the house and into the cave he saw the priest, only he was in the demonic cage with Twilight nowhere to be seen.
“You forget, I’ve played this game before.”
“Yes. But this time I have a champion of my own.”
“What?!”
“Come closer warrior.”
Before the dragonborn could make a move the mace on the pedestal teleports to his hand. He looks at it, then to the priest who was looking back at him in, an evil grin slowly spread across his face. Knowing that none of his new companions were there to see him in such a devilish and brutal state he would have no trouble unleashing his kill hungry desires to calm them for a time.
Oblivion bent on smashing the poor mans leg in half Barix uses all his might to swing the daedric mace so it would go right through the bars entirely. Barix finds out a little too late that the mace didn’t have a problem with that as the mace traveled right through the prison-like bars as if they weren’t even there, completely decimating Logrolf’s leg. That one blow left him laying on the ground writhing pain with only one leg still attached. Barix was ready to let it all go.
Again and again he swung the massive weapon hitting the defenceless priest. He was getting such a thrill off the attacks. His eye’s were a glowing dark green. His breath was quick and exhilarated. But all too soon it was over. The former priest was dead in the bottom of the tiny prison in little pieces with blood smeared all over the floor. Barix was a little agitated that it was over so soon. Before he could ask for more, Molag Bal spoke up.
“Ah ha ha. Why must you mortals have such frail and weak bodies. Try again.”
The dead body that was Logrolf came back to life. Barix was all too willing to finish the job again. This time he took a little more time smashing the lowly human into submission. Plea upon plea was spewd from the dying priest but time after time they fell on deaf ears. For the second time he lay dead on the chamber floor. While the first round of strikes left a small coat of blood on the mace, this time it was entirely enveloped by the bright red liquid. That didn’t last long as the blood was beginning to be absorbed by the mace. The mace then shown a bright green aura, the rust cleared away, and it felt so much lighter.
“The Mace of Molag Bal! I give you it’s true power mortal. Use it to break your enemies and leave them helpless as they beg to you for salvation. Know that I will be watching.”
“WAIT! What about-”
Before Barix could finish his sentence a flash of dark light beamed in front of him. He had to shield his eye’s from it. When it subsided he saw that the body, what was left of it, was gone as well as all of the blood on the stone floor. What did remain however was a lavender unicorn that wore a light purple robe and was completely void of any kind of burns or cuts from past events. Barix couldn’t hold back his joy. Dropping the mace and losing all the negative emotions that clouded his mind, he crouched down, giving the mare a strong hug.
“Twilight!”
“...clgh...can’t...breath.”
Barix relented a few seconds longer and released Twilight from his grip of death. He looked back to her with normal eye’s in slight embarrassment.
“Sorry, sorry. Come on. Lets get out of here.”
“That’s a great idea. The less I see about this place the better.” Twilight takes a quick look around noticing that it was only the two of them. “Say, have you seen Pinkie, Rarity, or Fluttershy down here?”
“No it was only me that came down. ...Why?”
“They said they were going to bring down some food for me while you, Rainbow and Applejack went off to find a way to free me.”
“Don’t worry just yet. Let’s see if something happened to them first then go from there.”
Twilight agreed that would be best. The two walk out of the creepy house, heading for their own house. Little did they know what was in store for them back home.
Barix and Twilight stood at the end of the hall in complete shock. Blood spotted the interior, none of their friends were left around, and Argis laid dead on the stone floor, his body partially eaten by something. Barix wasn’t in the mood to try to identify the animal now. Twilight herself was frozen, not knowing what to do her brain shut-off.
“...”
“...Twilight...”
“I...how did...”
“There’s someone else in here.”
Twilight subconsciously took a few steps closer to the dragonborn in question.
“Where are they?” She spoke in a whisper similarly to the one creature he was smelling.
He walks into the bedroom looking right to a closet upon entering. He slowly approaches the wooden container. He grabs the handle swinging it open faster than a flying Rainbow Dash. Twilight was about to fire a magic bolt when nothing was in the closet besides the normal cloths.
“There’s nothing here.” She lowered both her guard and her magic energy before getting tackled to the ground by an invisible force.
“Oh I’m so glad you’re ok!” A teary faced Fluttershy began to take shape holding on to Twilight for dear life. It wasn’t that tight considering.
“Yes I’m fine but what about you? What happened here?”
“Oh it was terrible! Me, Rarity, and Pinkie were about to set out for the scary house with the picnic basket...” Fluttershy couldn’t hold back some of her tears “and then we were attacked by some monsters. I couldn’t tell what they were because I hid in the closet.”
“Must of been bad. It reeks of human flesh in here.”
“Are they ok?” Twilight asks the still crying mare.
“It sounded like they were.”
“They might have just taken them as hostages. This doesn’t look random, so they must have wanted them as bait or food for later. We can rule out troll’s, atronachs, or anything that can’t use their brains.”
“What do you suggest we do?”
“Follow these things. The scent is fading so I will need to track them while I’m a werewolf, lets go.”
Not long after leaving the house Barix gave his armor to the two mares for safe keeping. Barix transformed into the ever terrifying beast, summoning some ice wolves to carry Twilight and Fluttershy. Together the five four legged creatures set off, following the smell of dead and rotting flesh. Barix, in his new form, was getting rather excited from the smell and the new bloodlust that was creeping up fast.
Some way’s into the forest he stops before continuing. He growled to the two ice wolves before looking to the two mares. Fluttershy all but understood what was just said and spoke up not letting Barix get a word in.
“What do you mean stay here? If our friends are in trouble there must be something we can do to help.”
“No,” Barix spoke with his signature deep tone, “whatever is in there is very hostile. I can’t risk the two of you getting hurt in the process. Stay here and you’ll be safe.”
With that Bartix was off. As he ran through the forest a cave came into view. Going inside he was greeted by the stench of, not only human flesh, but the remains of different animals, as if he was struck in the face with a warhammer. It was intoxicating.
Making his way further inside the cave Barix could hear something going on in the cave. Getting closer the two mares, Rarity and Pinkie Pie, were yelling at their captors. There was another sound, one that almost sang like a rehearsed chorus. Chanting...it was a ritual.
Upon further investigation he saw Rarity on an alter. She was gagged and tied to the sacrificial alter with the cult members around a large table. They even went through the trouble of putting a magic inhibitor on her horn. Pinkie Pie was trapped inside of a small cage off to the side. Both had their respective armor and weapons missing.The ring leader was holding a knife above Rarity, ready to make the killing blow on the crying mare.
“Namira, we make this sacrifice in honor of your magnificent power. By your will grant us the honor of preserving our great calling so we may yet serve you further.”
“Please don’t do this! It won’t end well for you!”
“Quiet you!” One of the grunts hits the side of the cage making the scared, pink mare retreat away from the side.
As he goes back to his seat Pinkie looks directly at Barix who was suspended on the ceiling. Even in his state of mind, being that of a blood thirsty beast, didn’t want to know how she of all creatures knew he was even there. The ritual was continuing.
“Namira, take this gift as a sign of our loyalty and bestow upon of your gift of hunger.”
The leader was about to cut the mare open like a fish caught by a butcher. Rarity tried her best to scream and kick but it was all in vain. Pinkie hid her face in her hooves knowing what was going to happen but didn’t want to see it. The cult members cheered on the ring leader, ready to feast on the their freshly killed prey. How warm and moist her blood would be and how delicious she must taste being such a unique creature. That, however, never happened.
For Barix, time slowed down instantly. Jumping from the ceiling to the ground right behind the leader took now longer than a quarter of a second. Then, using all the strength in his right arm, he plunged it into the back of his target. As it snapped her spinal column and tore at her organs, she was lifted from the ground.
In the span of less than a second, Barix skewered the cultist with his arm, who was now elbow deep into her chest. The only thing that she could let out was a low, painful groan before falling limp. Some blood had splattered on Rarities partially dirty coat, but she didn’t care about that in the leased. All she could focus on was the werewolf in front of her holding up the deceased cult member, staring half in fear and half in relief.
Once the cult members themselves realized what had happened they all went into panic getting up and running out of the cave. Try as them might Barix was there to slice open their throats and rip their limbs off before they could leave the main room. The blood coating his body as he slaughtered them. That was the final tipping point. As the cultists fell before him, he ate them, devouring all that he could. Two dozen dead bodies later, not including the five he consumed, he walks over to Rarity, cutting her binds and gag and removing her inhibitor. As soon as she was free, Rarity ran up to her pink friend.
“Oh my goodness dear! Are you alright?”
“...Yeah, I’m fine. What about Barix?”
They both took a quizzical look at him waiting to see what he would do. Seeing what he did to the others they weren’t sure how to act, if he might strike again.
“Let’s move. They won’t wait for us forever.” His deep tone making his already bloody appearance seem that much more frightening.
“Who do mean?”
“Twilight and Fluttershy. They are outside with some of my ice wolves. Get your things and we will be on our way.”
On his way out Barix saw a ring on the altar where Rarity was seconds away from being sacrificed. It looked strange with a twisted shape to it. Giving it a second thought he realized it could only be one thing. He grabs it and hinds it for now, wanting to get in some research before revealing too much.
The entire way back was dead quiet. Quiet to Barix at least. Once Rarity and Pinkie saw their friends, they couldn’t be happier. Pinkie’s mane even reverted back to it’s poofy afro style as before. The conversation was cheerful all around with the four mare’s as they caught up with the latest events.
Before moving on, the group had to meet up with Rainbow and AJ back at the house. Having eaten a considerable amount, Barix wasn’t going into Markarth anytime soon. Twilight volunteered to go in along with Rarity and Pinkie. Fluttershy got busy with cleaning the blood off his fur. Getting back the three mare had nothing but bad news.
“What do you mean they’re not there?” Barix was half surprised and half scared. “They have to be.”
“The only thing we found was the mess that left behind and your...um...” Rarity was uncomfortable saying the last part.
“Yes...my housecarl. It is sad but there’s nothing we can do for him now. He was the Jarl’s once so I know they will give him a proper farewell. No sense in worrying about him. We need to find our friends.”
“Where do you think we should start?”
“The last place I saw them. We’re heading into forsworn territory.”
Twilight and her friends were looking over the remains of the forsworn camp that, just a day ago, was home to about twenty or so forsworn followers. They look through the tents and under neath rock for any sign of a secret passageway. But to no avail. Seeing the dead bodies made some of the ponies cringe with disgust but were no worse for wear. Barix had come back from patrolling the surrounding camp for any signs. Still in his werewolf form the group massed around him. Twilight was the first to speak up.
“Did you find anything?”
“Yes. A scent trail of them was left behind."
"Yay!”
“Wonderful!”
“The trail is very weak so we have to move if we have a chance of finding them.” Barix continued.
“You heard him girls, mount up.”
The four mares got on the newly summoned, and fully healed, Shadowmare and Arvak. Riding off into the distance, Barix lead the way. As the moved, Twilight could sense the power of a magical artifact. It wasn’t the mace. She made sure to give that to the daedric butler Barix had so it would be kept safe, being in his care she wouldn’t be able to sense the mace. She had the sneaking suspicion he had recently come across another one but decided against pushing the matter to focus on getting her friends back.
It was getting dark for the day and the group had travelled a long way. Traversing half of Skyrim itself, they stopped at a few places that Barix found had a concentrated amount of their scent. All leads turned up empty in the end.
Camp had been set up in some small ruins after taking out the spriggan that resided inside. The weak efforts from Fluttershy trying to get it to calm down didn’t help very much, it fact it only served to anger it further.
As the four mares were busy setting up makeshift beds out of leaves and moss stitched together by Twilight’s magic, Barix was behind a corner getting on some normal clothes after finally being able to transform back into his human state. He came back around to see five beds already made.
“I didn’t know how long you’d be so I made yours.” The empty bed was placed right next to Twilight.
“Thank you.”
“So you’re the expert on this, where do we go from here?” Rarity asks.
“We’re getting closer to them. That much I do know.”
“No offence but that’s what you said every time we came across something they might be in. Like the abandon castle or the these ruins.”
“Ooo, ooo. Don’t forget the tree stump next to those broke down logs.” Pinkie adds to worst of the findings to Twilight comment.
“(cough) Yes...well, this time really is different. I can smell them without being in my wolf form. I’d say they are less than a mile out.”
“If that’s the case then why don’t we go get them now before whoever has them prisoner decides to move them again?”
“There are several reasons for that. One, I might be able to turn into a Khajiit that can see in the dark but you can’t and having a light spell or anything would give you away. Two, this is obviously a ruse to get to me, or in other words-”
“-A trap!” Realization washing over, not just Twilight, but the others as well.
“Exactly. Being in top form is key at this point. And finally, there’s nothing to suggest that this being is out for blood from anyone.”
“What do you mean by that?” Twilight asks.
“If they wanted blood why would they go through the hassle of taking Rainbow and Applejack, moving them to several locations, and trying to lead me to them. They were baiting us, or at least me, from the beginning. The question is why.”
“I’m sure we can figure that out later. You mentioned being in top form, well I know I can’t face anypony until I get my beauty sleep.”
“Good idea. We’ll get there in the morning and ambush this thing when it’s most vulnerable.”
“Somehow I get the feeling it’ll be ambushing us.” Barix said mostly to himself so the others couldn’t hear.
The group of traveling warrior's lay to rest for the coming day ahead. Getting up they felt well rested and ready to move. True to what Barix said, it didn’t take long for them to reach the latest building where Rainbow and AJ were. It was a rundown old tower that had many vines growing from the sides. Twilight's curiosity was the first to present itself.
“They’re in here?”
“Yes, I can hear Rainbow snoring at the top.”
“What are we waiting for?! Let’s go!”
Pinkie ran through the doors before her friends could stop her. Try as they might, they couldn’t catch up to her, nor could their plea’s stop the excited pony in the lead. When they got to the top, Pinkie froze. The others came in right behind her. What they saw made them all very confused.
Applejack was laying down drawing figures on the ground with the stick that was in her mouth. Rainbow Dash was on her back, right next to the country mare, sleeping with a light snore. Both of them were in a rusty looking cage. Just by a glance, the rescue team could tell the two mares were in the own worlds, so to speak.
“What in Equestria are you two doing?”
“Waiting for you.”
None of them had seen the being come into view or where this assassin had come from. Barix gathered he was one due to the Dark Brotherhood garbs he was sporting and from the obvious male Khajiit accent. Two daedric axes were fitted very professionally on his back. Twilight noticed that Applejack hadn’t moved to look at them, as if nothing was happening around her.
“Why did you do this?” Barix put a tad more bark in his voice than would have liked.
“Because White Fang was tasked to test your resolve in rescuing these ponies.” The Khajiit let down his hood to reveal his face. It somewhat resembled that of white tiger looking like it was ready to pounce on it’s prey. “You took longer than White Fang was hoping for. Hermaeus Mora will not be pleased about this.”
“So that’s who sent you. This plan was a little odd for any one person to come up with.”
“Um…Twilight? Who’s this Hernman Morre?” Fluttershy was half hiding behind her lavender friend and half behind Barix.
“Hermaeus Mora. That’s the Daedric Prince of knowledge and memory here in Tamriel.”
“That is correct young one.” White Fang’s gaze never left Barix. “Your friend here needed to be tested before my master could sent him a message and a mission. But it seems White Fang needs to use an alternate form of testing to come to a conclusion.” He had then drawn on of his axes from behind his back, ready to strike.
“Fine, I don’t mind skinning a cat today.” Barix had taken out his own blade, the dragonbone sword from his side.
“Barix...be careful.”
“Don’t get hurt darling.”
“Yeah, stick it to him!”
“You have some supportive friends. They will lend you many hooves on your adventures, if you have any left after today.”
“I’m surprised you’re coming out in front to fight me honorably. Normally you cowards like to stab others in the back. Then again that is a stereotype most of your race has.”
As the two walk in an invisible circle showing off some weapon handling skills, they continued to trash talk. As the first stage of one on one fighting had completed, they run forward trying to get in the first blow. Countering strike for strike they stood firm and unmoving. That is until White Fang picked up his assault on Barix, making the dragonborn move back.
“SU!”
Barix had picked up speed in his swings moving even faster than his counterpart. The pair keep up the pressure doing their very best not to let the other gain the advantage. Barix used his other shouts from Elemental Fury, and White Fang had to pull out his other axe. Little did the dragonborn know that his enemy was secretly weakening his sword for the perfect strike. Even though the two ponies in the cage weren’t looking, or didn’t know what was going on, the other four friends were on the each of their metaphorical seats.
Pinkie was hyped to the Nth degree, Fluttershy was hiding behind her mane, Rarity was biting her hooves away to nothing, and Twilight Sparkle was silently praying to whatever god would listen to her. As it would seem that they were tied White Fang gave one last double swing to the sword splitting it in half. Barix, in turn, staggers back as his friends all gave a collective gasp. Giving a kick to his chest, Barix was sent flying back into the wall, then dropping to the ground. He was able to look up to see the Khajiit walking towards him. Barix got to his feet, as quick as he could, for one last attempt at seizing victory.
“FUS!”
White Fang had to do very little, only cut the shock wave with a flick of his wrist to cancel out his power. All of them stood silent. Complete shock had taken control of the group. Barix didn’t know what else to do. Nothing had ever been able to block his shouts, at least not so easily and some didn’t live to tell the tale. Barix had finally met his match.
“Well done dragonborn. You have successfully passed your test.” The Khajiit warrior put away his weapons, then motioned toward the cage.
The magical barrier that was around it dissipated. A confused looking Applejack and just as confused, newly awoken, Rainbow Dash was what remained. Confusion written on their face like words in a book.
“What in Tarnation!”
“What the hey is going on!”
“Now dragonborn White Fang have one last thing for you before he departs.” Barix was still trying to get over the fact that his failsafe power was trumped so easily, it took him a second to realize a very large book was given to him. “This book is one called the Oghma Infinium. It is one of the Daedric Artifacts and a gift from my master. Use it well dragonborn.”
“But...why are you doing this for me? Also how were you able to block my shout?”
“You have your training, and White Fang has his. For now I bid you farewell.”
The assassin warrior points to the side of the tower walls. There wasn’t anything interesting there, unless you count interesting as a cracked wall with some mold and a heavy layer of dust. Turning back the group realized what had happened, White Fang had flead.
“Dammit! ...I hate it when others do that.”
“Worry bout him later.” AJ said as she bucks the bars down with ease then makes her way over to Barix, as well as the others. “Ah can tell ya, Dash here is more of ah threat than he is. So, what’s this book supposed ta do anyhow?”
“Not too sure, but I’m thinking it’s a Daedric Artifact if it really did come from Hermaeus Mora. Twilight, can you hold onto it for now? I don’t think I want to open it just yet.”
“Ok.” Twilight took it in her magical grasp and was about to put it into her satchel when a small piece of paper fell out of it. “Hey, what’s this?”
Securing the book to her side the unfolds the parchment as the group of friends gather behind them.
“Why, this is a map.”
“A map of Skyrim.”
“What are those X’s for?”
“Oh, please don’t tell me what ah think it is.”
“This is going to be so fun! We get to go on treasure hunt! ...Oh no! I left my party search hat back home!” Pinkie was, of course a ittle too excited.
“And I can feel the headache already. Let’s get moving before the sun sets. We can figure out where they are on the go.”
They all agreed to that notion. Especially Rainbow Dash who wanted to stretch out her wings. Twilight was examining the map as the group march onwards while the rest catch up on what happened with each other. The funniest part of it was how Rainbow was treating her captor while they were on the move, always complaining and giving him a headache. Pinkie found this especially funny.
Gears began to turn in Rarity’s and AJ’s minds, both knowing what the other was thinking but held off saying anything for now. They needed to get more info on Barix and what he thinks before saying anything. Twilight had a few thing to say to Barix as they walked.
“Hey Barix, It looks like one of these X’s are really close to us. We can probable get to it before sunset and stay for the night.”
“Sounds good, as long as you want to sleep on the ground of whatever we find.”
“I’m sure that won’t be a problem. But I do have one more thing to ask. Why were you tracking down RD and AJ when you, Rarity or me could just have easily used the spell Clairvoyance to easily find them.”
“...(sign). I can’t give you a good reason other than my werewolf instincts took over. Don’t know what else to say. Things like that normally happen to me. Enough to get really annoying.”
“Hey you two! Get a move on it!” Rainbow Dash shouts from far ahead.
Barix and Twilight look ahead to see their friends running away. Rarity took the lead with the map in her magical grasp with Pinkie Pie right behind. Most likely the one hyping up everyone into getting to the first objective. Reluctantly the two runner-ups start their fast track to catch up.
As the friends are quick getting to their destination, thoughts of home flood their heads with the promise of seeing loved ones yet again.
Chaos was around everyone as multiple draugr, skeletons, and atronachs were around the group of adventurers. It was essentially a small war zone in the middle of an ancient crypt where a red X had been placed. Hope had filled the young hearts of all the pony companions, but ever since they found out what was inside the ancient remains of the nord dungeon, they realized it was a trap set up by the new threat in their lives, White Fang.
The number of enemies were drastically decreasing as time went by. One by one they were picked off as the team worked together to clear out the monsters. It came down to Barix, Twilight, Rarity, and Applejack in the same room, while Rainbow Dash and Pinkie held off in earlier rooms protecting Fluttershy and gathering valuables.
Twilight was facing down a skeleton that was about to fire it’s bow. Barix saw this. Even though Twilight had a spell ward up, he knew it wasn’t going to work against an arrow. Rarity was also about to be struck down by an axe swung by a draugr.
Barix rushed past the draug about to strike Rarity, grabbing the axe and knocking the undead enemy off balance with a loud thud. He stops in front of the arrow heading for Twilight blocking it with his armor. Once he was clear for an opening he throws the axe, aiming at the targets exposed skull. It was a direct hit. The headless skeleton fall to the ground it defeat in it’s re-dead state. He turns to the lavender mare with an angry look, she in turn had one of confusion.
“Are you trying to get yourself killed!” His voice boomed.
“What do you mean? I had it under control.” Twilight rebutted.
“You most certainly did NOT have it under control. Do you know nothing of ward spells?”
Twilight snorted. “Of course I do, they protect the caster from harm.”
“From other spells yes, but not from physical attacks such as, oh say, AN ARROW AIMED AT YOUR HEAD!” The mare was taken aback from her hero’s tone, maybe even slightly frightened. “I don’t care what you do when you get back to your world but you are not dieing on my watch. Got that?”
“B-but the books said th-that-” Barix was quick to cut her off.
“Some things you can’t learn from books. Get your head out of them and into the real world. It’s only way you’re going to survive.”
Barix walked out to the next room. Applejack and Rarity walked over to Twilight, obviously having heard what had just transpired.
“Ya’ll alright sugercube?” Applejack soothed.
“Yeah I…I just don’t know why he snapped like that.”
AJ and Rarity gave a knowing glance to each other. They might have been ready to tell Twilight what they might know about Barix If Rainbow hadn't come barging in on their moment.
“Yeah guy’s look at we found in the other room!” She held in her hoof one of the unmistakable dragon claws.
“Actually Pinkie found it.” Fluttershy was drowned out by the sound of the others in awe crowding around the ancient artifact.
“Hey where’s Barix?”
“Be there in a second!” He shouts from the next room over which was followed by a loud explosion, slightly rocking the tomb itself. “Ok! Lets get moving!”
“Oh yeah I forgot to mention this but...it’s night time.” Rainbow laid out the bad news, everyone knew what that meant.
“Oh no, I don’t think so. You don’t expect me to sleep in a dirty, dank, and decrepit cave. I would rather sleep outside than in a place this uncouth.” Rarity complained.
“Rarity, quit yer fussin. Sometimes you jus got ta deal with what life throws at ya.” Applejack refuted.
“I don’t care what you say I’m going outside. I’m sure I can-”
“If you're really dead set about going outside at night then why don’t the two of us make our way to the next point on the map.” The group of ponies look to Barix as he makes his way over to them.
“I thought you said it was dangerous outside at night?”
“It still is, but in this part of Skyrim the threat of vampires, forsworn, werewolves, necromancers, and anything else in relatively low. We can make our way to the next X on the map and have very little chance of something jumping out at us.” He looks to Rarity. “That is if you still want to go?”
“Hmph, anything beats sleeping here.” She then comes up with a devilish idea, wanting to test it out right away. “And of course I trust you completely. I know you won’t let anything happen to me.”
As she says the last part she nuzzles up to Barix, who in turn finds it a bit odd but realizes they were ponies. It was just their way of showing affection. Rarity looks to Twilight, taking note her lavender friend was blushing ever so slightly and looking down to the ground. In other words, away from somepony that was showing Barix affection. Applejack also sees that. The two new exactly what to do.
“Oooo-oooo-oooo! Can I come two!” Pinkie partly shouted.
“No! Uh, I mean no. You need to stay with your friends because...there is strength in numbers and...being new to this world you need all the hands...or hooves, you can get. Besides who’s going to make sure Fluttershy is safe while the others are fighting the monster.”
“Oh my gosh you’re right!” The pink runs to Fluttershy’s side faster than realistically possible, holding her friend close. “Don’t you worry Fluttershy, Pinkie will be here to help you.”
“Um...thank you Pinkie?”
“Alright, with that settled we’ll be on our way. Applejack I trust you can keep your friends safe.”
“Ya’ll got nothin ta worry about.”
“How exactly will I be sleeping on the trip? I do need my beauty sleep.”
“I’ve got that covered.”
The pair walk outside as the group of ponies got to making or finding something to sleep on. There was plenty of fur from armor and sleeping bags from past adventurer's laying around. Although most had to be magically cleaned before they could be touched. Dash was suddenly very thankful Twilight studied her flank off on every type of magic known to pony kind, including water kinesis magic.
Barix and Rarity walk outside to see a cart being pulled by two undead looking horses.
“Arvak. Shadowmare. I didn’t expect to see you two here.” They snorted. “You know, it’s time like this were I wish I could speak to other animals too.”
“You and me both. Now let’s get moving.”
In a minute they began moving, at a rather slow pace from Rarity’s request. She was in the back laying in a sleeping bag on top of another one. It was the closest to her own bed as she was going to get, according to her. Barix was sitting in the front coach seat. He was oddly wide awake, which was a good thing. Someone had to guide the two undead steeds to the right direction, the general direction anyway. Once it was day and Rarity was awake he would use his spell, Clairvoyance, to pinpoint the location he was looking for.
Another thing got him curious for now. It was that mysterious ring he found when he rescued Rarity and Pinkie Pie before. He took it for his satchel looking at it closely. It was definitely daedric by the looks of it. He morphed into a Khajiit to get a better look at it in the dark but there was no inscription on the ring. He took his gauntlets off and put it on the hand with no ring. Seeing or feeling no immediate change he left it on to see what would change from having it on.
As his trusty steeds lead him and his companion to the possible treasure that awaits, he begins to feel sad. If things keep up at this pace he wouldn’t see his new friends for much longer. That was good because they would be going back home, but at the same time he would miss them.
“Your friend here needed to be tested before my master could send him a message and a mission.”
“Wait...what is that Khajiit planning? And why does the daedric prince of memories have such an interest in me?”
Rarity wakes up, still warm and snug inside the sleeping bag. She wanted to stay inside a little longer but curiosity of knowing where she was had grabbed her and wouldn’t let go. She pops her head out of the warm sleeping sac to instantly regret it. The cold, frigid, morning air greeted her with a tiny spike of pain and the heat all but staying with her.
“Oh my goodness! Where are we?” She is scooped up by a large furry claw and surrounded by more fur.
“At a place called Folgunthur.”
“Barix?” She saw he was in his werewolf form and quickly realized it was to stay warm, it was starting to warm her up again so she wasn’t about to complain. The white mare also noticed that the carriage was near but without the two horses to pull it. “What happened to Arvak and Shadowmare?”
“I let them go before I turned into a werewolf.”
“How long have we been here?”
“A few hours now. I didn’t want to wake you.”
“Oh you’re so sweet. As much as I would hate to cut this little warming get together short we really must get the next, uh, whatever is inside.”
“Agreed.”
It was slightly awkward for Barix to walk because he was holding Rarity carefully against him. Once inside he put her down, even though she wasn’t to thrilled by it, he needed to. Moving behind a wall he waits for the werewolf blood to loose power, which was only another minute. He is then able to put on his armor and the two start exploring the empty ruins. The first thing they come across is an adventurer dead on the side of the tunnel along with a few draugr.
“Wait!” Barix stops Rarity from moving forward.
“What’s the matter?”
Barix steps on a tile just a step in front making several spikes jut from the sides. Rarity jumped slightly from the shock of this. Traps were still a new concept to her. Even so she made a mental note to stay behind Barix for this trip. At the first room it was made even more clear someone was here not too long ago. What ever they did they must of had a dragon claw. An open door was in front of them just behind a stone table and podium that held three small holes were a dragon claw would most likely fit. Small, stone columns were on both the left and right sides of the room as well as stone tables on the wall that depicted animals.
“Barix, what are those blocks with the symbols for?”
“It’s a puzzle. Ancient nords set-up puzzles to activate traps and doors to protect their treasures when they died. This one was touched very recently. And by a dragon claw no less.”
“How can you tell?”
Barix points to the small podium that had the three holes. Remembering what a claw looked like, one could easily fit inside. Pressing onwards through the halls, Barix stops moving. Before Rarity could ask what it was this time he puts his hand up to his mouth in a hush motion. She stand there as he pulls out his bow with an arrow. Aiming it ever so slightly behind the corner without looking he makes some minor adjustments before letting go.
The arrow flew forward audibly hitting something less than a second later. Peeking out a draugr was laying on the floor with an arrow out of it’s chest. Again, moving on it wasn’t long before they came to an opening. This time is was a large room spanning multiple floor’s. Coffins lined the wall and some rested on small inclined plateau’s along the wall.
“Something isn’t right.” Barix stated.
“What’s wrong about this place now? I mean other than the obvious need for a complete makeover of course.” Forgetting herself for a moment, Rarity takes a step forward.
“Stop!”
A very familiar sound of a crypt opening is heard. Heads turning to the source the two are witness to a reawakening to many more draugr. There must have been about five or six visibly present getting up from their rest ready to fight the intruders.
“By the nine. Rarity.” Irritation very much present in his voice.
“Um, oop’s.” The elegant mare offers up a sheepish, apologetic smile. “But look at it like this, we can get rid of them all now before one sneaks up on us later.”
“Works for me. Help me take them out.”
Barix was the first to pull his bow out shooting one right in the head. Aiming for the second shot he was cut off by a different arrow hitting his target in the throat. Pausing he then noticed Rarity had a sly grin.
“I’ll still get more than you.”
“Oh, I highly doubt that darling. Good luck trying though.”
It was on. A race to the high score. Body after undead body fell from the small cascade of arrows, both dragonbone and elven alike. Barix was confident in his abilities and had experience. But it was Rarity who had all those practice sessions as well as the number of bow enchantment’s on her armor. In the end the total was eight to nine, Rarity coming out on top. The grand prize - temporary bragging rights.
“You know, you’re lucky you have all those enchantments. There was no way you would have won normally.”
“Do I detect a hint of jealousy. I don’t blame you darling. It just goes to show that practice does indeed make perfect.”
“Let’s just get what we came here for.”
Checking for anything that would be of any use they searched among the open multi-story room. Barix was stuck with the bodies as Rarity wouldn’t touch them, not even with her magic. Something about being too uncouth but he wasn’t really in the mood to listening either way. The first floor had nothing but the usual gold old books and useless weapons. It was on the second floor they found what they were looking for. Another dragon claw next to the dead body of a dark elf.
“Yes! Oh yes, this is good news indeed.” Rarity was cheerful for a split second before she realized what the claw was next to. “Do you think he suffered?”
“Probably not, either way he’s dead. Not much we can do. On the other hand it would seem that each of those locations on the map lead to a dragon claw. Let me think...we have five claws if we include the one in Riverwood, and there were…,” Barix began counting the marks that were on the map in his head, “...four marks on the map. That means they are three more dragon claws to collect.”
“Um, not to rush you or anything dear but do you think we can leave? This place is not sitting right with me in the least.”
“That might be best. I don’t want to stick around to find out what happened to this poor soul.”
Getting outside they saw it was still daytime. They must not have spent an hour inside considering almost everything was already solved, killed, or near the entrance when they arrived. They settled on making their way to Solitude, being it was the closest town. Rarity wanted to go there herself ever since she heard the description from Pinkie Pie. Summoning his two steeds once again, Barix hooked them up to the carriage as Rarity went back to getting warm.
It was about late afternoon when the duo got to the city. Rarity felt right at home in the big city. She went off to do her own thing as Barix did his, shopping, selling, and giving his additional claw to is demon butler for safe keeping. The pair met up at his manor in Solitude, Proudspire Manor.
“So Barix, how are we going to link up with the other’s later on?” She began as they both sat at the dining table, just having finished eating.
“We’ll head out tomorrow. Using the spell Clairvoyance we can track them and hopefully meet up halfway. Let’s just hope they found a claw as well. If everything goes well then we can split up again and continue to cover more ground.”
“Yes I agree completely. The sooner we can get those magical item’s the better.” The thought popped up from the back of her mind. She needed to test the water’s and if need be, come up with a little white lie. “Before I forget what do you think about my friend’s?”
“What do you mean?”
“How do you think they are faring out here? How close would you say you are to them and so on? Just curious.”
“Well they all have their up’s and downs. Rainbow is brash but quick. Applejack is more headstrong than is good for her but is definitely the strongest of the group. Pinkie’s...Pinkie I’m not sure what to make of her. Fluttershy is, well i don’t want to say weak but she is. Although she is clever about what she does and how she does it, plus she has all you as friends to back her up. But still I can’t help but fear for her the most. Twilight is smart, tactical, and possesses the best magic ability I’ve ever seen. I’m thinking she should head over at the College of Winterhold one more time to learn from the best mages before she leaves for good.”
Just as she thought, not one bad thing about Twilight. A crush was confirmed. Now all she had to do was make him realize it.
“But I must say she doesn’t have a drop of common sense.” Well who said it was going to be easy.
“What makes you say that? Surely Twilight isn’t all that bad. Maybe she just needs a good teacher like you.”
All night she got him to talk about her lavender friend. The white mare even saw a dreamy look on his face for a second. The night was uneventful, as was the morning that followed. The two adventurer’s set out on the carriage once they were packed and ready to move. Following the trail of the spell, Rarity was organizing the jewelry she collected and Barix got to work with some catch-up reading on an old nord tale.
It was about an hour before they left when an explosion rocked the ground. Barix nearly fell off the cart as he wasn’t expecting anything like that. Even the two steeds were spooked enough to stop moving. Rarity was all too familiar with that type of sound. What followed was always a rainbow ring and a rainbow trail.
“A Sonic Rainboom. Barix that’s Rainbow Dash!”
“Wow. So that’s the legendary rainboom she’s been going on about.” Barix was so transfixed on amazment called the Sonic Rainboom. “It’s so beautiful.”
“You can stare at it more later if you really want. Signal her.”
“Oh yeah, right.”
“YOL! TOOR! SHUL!”
Even though it was morning with the sun beaming, a giant fire ball lit up the sky as it flew straight up. The best signal he could come up with, but one that didn’t fail to produce results. The rainbow trail that was moving away from them was changing direction, now heading straight for them. Before long, a very out breath Rainbow Dash practically crashed into the cart, her stop only softened by the sleeping bags that were still conveniently in the back end. The unmistakable object in her hooves was that of a dragon claw.
“Rainbow darling, what happened?” Rarity was more than a little shaken from the sight of the exhausted friend.
“Claw...fight...vam...” The stunt flyer could barely give a word before taking in another deep breath.
“Rainbow calm yourself. Breath, then focus on talking.” Barix advised. She did so before continuing.
“Ok, so we ran into these vampires and-” Cut off Barix had to ask.
“Wait so you fought vampires, but obviously living, non super powered, normal people you can’t fight off? I’m seeing a big flaw with this picture.”
“To be fair they didn’t have me to help them.” Rainbow was puffing out her chest.
“It was me, Fluttershy, and Pinkie. Our best fighters are Applejack, Twilight, Rainbow and you.” Rarity ignored her cyan friend for now only talking to Barix. “It would take a lot more to get them down and out.”
“Yeah sure they helped but listen, so we ran into some vampires, about four of them, beat them up, took this claw they were carrying, and got some info on them.”
“...Which was…?” Barix waited for an answer.
“I’m not sure, I was really only trying to beat up the scum bag we captured but Twilight said you two need to meet up to get a plan going. Something about the other claws.”
“Great, more vampire activity. I was sure things would have calmed down after the Dawnguard incident.”
“The what?”
“In short vampire hunter’s. We hunted down the ancient ones to extinction, if they’re back it spells nothing but trouble. Arvak! Shadowmare! Move on the double! Heya!”
With a jerk of the cart they moved with the speed of a scared elk running from a saber cat. The three warriors were now making a B-line for Twilight’s group with the spell, Clairvoyance, leading the way. Hoping and praying to the divines that everything was alright and that Twilight was safe, Barix kept his resolve to make it to her not letting anything or anyone get in his way.
The group of five ponies continued their march onward to their unknown destination. Unknown being that Twilight was having a hard time finding any of the landmarks from the map and the ponies with her were starting to get impatient.
“Twilight, are we there yet?” Rainbow Dash was the first to complain.
“We are looking for a fort three times the size the library used to be. If you don’t see a large stone structure in front of you, then the answer is clearly no.” Twilight retorted, getting a little impatient herself.
“A simple no would do. Are we even getting close? We’ve been walking for hours now.”
“Two and a half to be exact. We started our trip not to long ago.”
“Whatever. Point is it’s been too long already. Don’t you have any spells to get us there faster?”
“No, Clairvoyance is one of the few spell’s I havn’t learned yet. The only two that know it are off trying to find the other spot with the X.”
“Twilight let me see the map. Maybe I can help.” Applejack interjects.
“Ok. I’m getting tired of looking at this thing anyway. Lets rest here for a bit.”
Applejack takes the map for study as the others ponies either sit or lay down to relax their hooves. They hadn’t walked far since the morning but the harsh terrain of Skyrim and the heavy armor had begun to wear down their strength. All of the except Applejack of course. They were starting to wonder how Barix was able to do it all this time. A few minutes past and the country mare seemed to pick up a familiar sighting on the map.
“Hey Applejack, didja find anything.” Pinkie chimed in.
“Ah think ah did but ah’m still not sure.”
“Hey. Did you girls here that?”
“What is it Rainbow?” Twilight asks.
“It sounds like people coming this way.” Sure enough, five people came walking by having an argument about something. Twilight decides to step in to ask them a question.
“Excuse me.”
“We don’t have time for creatures like you, step aside.”
“Hey! Wait! I just wanted to ask you something.”
“Get back here!” Rainbow Dash got up in their face. “Show some respect your talking to pr-Aahh!” She was hit aside by one of the robbed personnel.
“Get away from us. We didn’t say you could speak.”
“Dashie!”
“Rainbow!”
“How dare you hit my friend. You're going to pay for that!”
“Oooo. What are you going to do, kick us?”
Twilight powered up a lightning spell and shot it directly at the supposed leader. The ball of lightning struck its target, making him fly backwards. The shock of the situation made the others freeze but didn’t hold still for long. Soon they all took up spells of their own getting ready to attack. The ponies did the same thing except one mare.
“Fluttershy, stay back. We’ll handle this.” She had no objections listening to Twilight.
This was it, the stand-off. Both groups stood solid waiting for the other to strike first, weapons drawn and spells ready to cast. The tension in the air was so thick it was getting hard to breathe. Finally the silence broke. One of the enemies struck first with a fireball to Twilight. She in turn put a shield up in no time flat absorbing the spell.
With the first attack out of the way the two sides clashed in a fury of attacks and magic. Rainbow and Pinkie were having little trouble with their targets. Rainbow was flying faster than her opponent could keep up. Pinkie kept her opponent busy with impossible angels of distractions and wearing her down with light attacks. Applejack was having trouble with her enemy, wielding that warhammer was hard enough but she also had to magical blows from her enemy. Twilight took care of her foe in record time. The few spells that the enemy was able to caster was nothing against the Element of Magic. In less than thirty seconds the used to be live person was now a charred corpse.
Twilight rushed over to help AJ then went to help her other friends dispatch of the remaining two. It wasn’t that hard at this point, it being two on one odds. Once they had dealt with the threat the lavender princess made sure her friends were ok.
“How is everypony? Any injuries?”
“Nope. All good here.”
“Ah ain’t got nothin ta worry about.”
“No scars I can brag about later.” Unlike her friends, the cyan pegasus was kind of disappointed.
“Good to hear. Let’s check them out and see if we can’t find something useful.”
“TWILIGHT!”
All four ponies look back to where Fluttershy is to see her being held up by the very first person that was struck by the spell Twilight used. He revealed a sharp pair of fangs amongst his teeth and dug them into Fluttershy’s neck. The mare, being dug into, began to scream in agonizing pain.
“FLUTTERSHY!!!” Her friends all called out in pleading worry. They had to act quickly and the princess was the first to speak up.
“Rainbow! Fly!”
Not needing another word to pull her back into reality, the rainbow mare dashed forward as fast as her wings would carry her. Twilight in turn teleported in front of the monster biting her friend. In One smooth motion she pushed Fluttershy out of it’s grasp, grabbed onto the monster, let Rainbow catch the falling mare to carry away, and delivered the killing blow.
“FUS! RO!”
The enemies head was blown clean off, getting shattered into thousands of pieces. The blow she made on the enemy stunned her friends enough to come to a standstill for a moment. As the fresh corpse fell to the ground the group of ponies ran to Fluttershy’s side to help. The poor mare was gasping as if to hold onto life itself. Twilight takes a look at the wound that was bleeding very little if at all. This caught her off guard, the monster had pierced a major artery. She should be bleed to death but she wasn’t. None the less the mage powered every healing spell she could think of and began healing the wound as fast as possible. Fluttershy was still gasping for air even though her wound was healed.
“Ah don’t get it. Twi, ah thought you healed her.”
“I did, I don’t understand what’s going on.”
“Fluttershy, come on. Speak to us.” Fluttershy could only gasp as she tried to reach out to her long time friend. Soon her movements stopped and she laid on the ground limp. “Fluttershy? Fluttershy? ...Fluttershy! Celestia dam it Fluttershy! Get up!” Rainbow raised a hoof about to punch the canary mare awake but couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Instead she resorted to burying her face into the yellow colored chest. The soft fur brushing against her face and soaking up her tears. The other ponies stood silent, tears creeping into their face as well, the sorrow bearing down on them. This day, the six best friends from Equestria had just lost an Element of Harmony. They lost one of their own.
…
…
…
Fluttershy gasped to life scaring the others out of their daze. Rainbow was the first to talk after the short silence between the group.
“Fluttershy! You’re ok?”
“Um...y-yeah. Why do you ask me tha-,” all her friends gave her a friendship death hug trying to kill her again, “...uhh...please let go. Can’t...breath.” After doing so she spoke again. “What happened. It’s all kinda fuzzy.”
“Sugarcube, ya were grabbed by that monster thin and bitten on the neck.”
“I healed you but when you kept hyperventilate we became very worried about you. Then you just stopped breathing.” Twilight explained.
“Oh my.That sounds awful.”
“Yeah it was. You were all like, (breathing fast and deep) and *BLAH*. We didn’t know what happened or what to do. Even when Twilight healed you we didn’t know what else we could do. Then you came to life like, GASP! and then-”
“It’s ok Pink’s we get the message.” Rainbow said as she stuffed a hoof in Pinkie’s mouth to stop the talking mare. “We can revel over the miracle that was a near death or we can move on. So Twi, you think these guys were holding anything useful.”
“Maybe, lets take a peek and see what we can’t dig up.”
The ponies got right to work going though the enemies pockets to find out if they were carrying anything of any importance. The group opted to have Fluttershy lay down near them as to not over exert herself. There wasn’t much they were carrying. Soone enough Pinkie chimes in with something she found.
“Ooo ooo ooo. Looky what I found girls! It’s a claw! Two of them actually.”
They huddled close to the pink pony to see that there were indeed two claws she laid on the ground. One was colored a blackish tint with green tipped claws. The other was an all around dull silver shade.
“Dragon Claws! By Celestia, this is amazing!”
“So awesome!”
“Hey ya’ll, look over there. One of um is still alive.” As Applejack points a hoof towards the struggling body Twilight takes both claws, putting them into her satchel.
“I got him.” Rainbow announced as she practically slammed on top of the attacker. “Alright spill the beans ace. What are you doing with these dragon claws?!?”
“Rainbow calm down.” Twilight pulls her aggressive friend off as the others gathered around. “Sir, please I need you to tell us why you have this claws and why you attacked us.”
“Go to Sovngarde you prissy ponies.” He got a buck to the face as a response. “Ahh!”
“Oh ah’m sorry my hoof seems ta have developed uh mind of it’s own.”
“Applejack stop. We need him to talk.” The alicorn told her off but not Pinkie who was laughing at the action. Celestia knows she wouldn’t be able to stop the Element of Laughter once she starts. Twilight was getting rather annoyed with her friends smacking the one she was trying to question, even if he did attack first. “How about a deal? I’ll heal up your wounds if you tell us what you were doing?”
“What! You would let this creep walk again after what he did?” Rainbow Dash ever the offensive one.
“Ah must agree Twi. Don’t know about the rest of ya’ll but ah’m not so sure this fella can be trusted.”
“Heal me and I’ll rip you throats out and feast on your blood as you slowly die.”
At this point Twilight had enough. She knocked the injured man out cold with a sleep spell.
“I can’t work with him. We need Barix down here, he’ll know what to do. Rainbow,” the cyan pegasus turned her attention to her friend as she pulled out one of the claws, “I need you to bring this claw to Barix. Tell him we found vampires and some dragon claws. Just see if you can make a Sonic Rainboom and he should be able to send out a signal letting you know where he’s at.”
“I’m on it!” In a flash she grabs the claw and flies upward searching for a draft to help her along. The others regroup themselves.
“So those were vampires huh. Not as bad ta deal with as ah thought they’d be.”
“That’s because they were just low level vampires. The master vampires are what’s going to be hard to beat. Oh and don’t worry Fluttershy. Any and all effects you might have are null and void thanks to all those healing spells.”
“Wh-why? What would have happened to me?” Fluttershy was a little nervous at the prospect of side effects from a bite.
“I geuss something along the lines of another Flutterbat incident.”
“What!? Who said bat’s? Where are they!?” Pinkie yelled frantically looking everywhere for the ugly creatures.
“No bats, around here sugarcube.”
“Oh. OK.”
“Hey Twi, I know RD as much as any of us and ah’m thinkin that she might not be able to find her way back as fast.”
“That’s ok. Barix and Rarity both have the spell Clairvoyance to find their way back. No need to worry.”
“Ah’ll second that. For now ah’ll get us a fire going. Don’t know bout you girl's but that fight made me a might hungry.”
Some time past with little happening. Twilight made sure that the captor was tied up good and wouldn’t die from blood loss or anything else. Applejack was heating up some soup Pinke brought. They were going to eat that with a side of wild berries Fluttershy picked out close by. It wasn’t long, or it didn't seem long but must have been only half a day, before Barix, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash showed up. Barix got right to work examining the bodies as Twilight was explaining what happened.
“So what know?”
“I trust you know what to do if a vampire bites one of you.”
“Yes nothing to worry about.”
“Good, now I’ll take the one you caught.”
“Not without me you don’t.” Rainbow interjected.
“I don’t think so, I have my own way of getting info and I don’t need you of anyone in my way.”
“I don’t care what you say, those hurt Fluttershy and I’m not going to let them get away so easily.” Barix was really considering it. The flyer was definitely aggressive enough.
“Ok you can join me, I could use someone to handle the dirty work.”
“That’s what I’m talking about.”
Barix grabs the unconscious vampire and drags him some distance away from the group with RD right behind. Rarity was talking to her friends when Twilight rejoined the group.
“Oh darling that’s terrible. And you’re sure you’re ok?”
“Y-yes. I’m fine. Thanks for your concern though.” Fluttershy softly spoke.
“I made sure nothing would happen to her. All effects and diseases she might have gotten are gone.”
“That’s good to hear. I dont know what the rest of us would do if we lost anyone. I don’t even want to think about.”
“Now there’s an idea. Speakin of ah can hear Barix and RD go at it down there. They must really be hammerin that fella fer everythin he’s got.”
‘Come on, can’t I tell them already? The suspense is killing me.’
‘Pinkie shut up. You already pinkie promised me offline that you won’t reveal the story line to the other’s. And stop breaking the fourth wall.’
‘Ok.’
“Hey Pinkie what’s with the sad face?”
“It’s nothing Twilight. Just thinking of what will happen later.”
“No need to darling’s. Here comes Barix and Rainbow Dash now.”
Sure enough the five ponies saw the two walk over.
“So how did it go? What did you find out?” Twilight asks the pair.
“Barix can be really brutal when he want’s to be.” Rainbow answered first.
“That’s...not what I meant.”
“Do you want the short version or the long one.” Barix replied.
“Um...short now give us the details on the way to...where ever we need to go.”
“Alright. The older and more powerful vampires, known as ancient vampires, are trying to revive their dead king in hopes of getting a second chance of taking over the world. Oh and they need the Dragon Claws to do that.”
The group of ponies along with the dragonborn sat in the wagon as Shadowmare and Arvak ran their way towards Solitude's shoreline. Their speed was fast but never waning. Barix was telling the ponies what had happened the last time he fought with the ancient vampires. How he took them down with the help of the Dawnguard and his former companion Serana. It was hard for the six ponies to believe there was one reasonable vampire among all the blood sucking monsters.
The trip to the north was taking longer than expected. Time wasn't on there side even though they were moving fast. Some of the ponies, including Barix were beginning to become restless especially Rainbow Dash, Barix was seeing a pattern with her.
“How much longer until we’re there?” Rainbow Dash, of course, was the first to complain.
“About a day, that’s if we don’t come across anything that would slow us down.”
“Oh dear. What happens if we don’t make it in time?” Rarity asks with worry in her voice.
“I don’t know. They could be just starting their plans or be ready to perform the ritual. There’s no real way to tell. We can only pray that we get to them before they succeed.”
“Until then we should come up with a plan of action. Nothing too detailed, but something to help our mission go smoother.” Twilight inquired.
“I think I see what you mean. Nothing close to a plan about going through the castle, but small things for different scenarios. Right?”
“Exactly.”
“Not gettin bitten is a start. We’ll need somepony on Fluttershy at all times.” Wise words from a country mare.
“I agree. Rainbow, you’ll be the one to watch over her, got it?”
“Good. I don’t think I could trust anypony else to keep her safe.” After realizing that Fluttershy was the only one that gave her a gentle smile, and the others had nasty frowns she proceeded to continue. “I mean, uh, no offence.”
“It’s ok Dashie. I know you meant well.”
“Well enough I suppose.”
“If that’s settled we’ll need...hang on. Why does Fluttershy need a guard again? Can’t she just fly up? Vampires aren’t known to fly.” Confusion ran through the dragonborn’s mind.
“Fluttershy dear, would you care to tell him.” Rarity asks the canary mare who proceeds to shrink into herself.
“I-I, uh. Well y-you see... ummm... the thing is-”
“Oh for Celestia’s sake. She’s scared of heights.” Rainbow answered for her. “We know it doesn’t make any sense. Just go with it.”
“Fine. On to more important matters, We’ll need to split into two teams. Three actually.”
“We’re Going to be facing vampires. Splitting up is bad enough but why do we need to split up in to three groups?” Twilight asks.
“One with me as the primary attack team, the second as the infiltration team, and lastly as the distraction team.”
“There’s no way ah’m passin up an oppertunity to strike those things head on. Count me in for the strike team.” AJ had to get back at them for hurting one of her friends.
“I’ll tag along with you too.”
“No Twilight. With the variety of spells you know, I need you to be the infiltration team. Wherever the ritual is taking place I you need to stop it how ever you can.”
“Ok but who's coming with me?”
“Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity.”
“But that'll leave Pinkie Pie to herself. Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Exactly. From what I've seen Pinkie can handle herself. She's perfect for making a scene.”
“It's OK Twilight. I'll be fine. Ooo, ooo, I already have some ideas. I could throw a party. No make it two parties! It'll be easy. I'll have one upstairs and one downstairs. This is going to be the most super duper vampirific party ever. I just have to-”
“Good to know Pinkie. Is everyone clear?” Getting back on track everyone agreed with the plan. Now it was only a matter of time.
The rest of the day, as well as part of the night, was spent on traveling. Barix wanted to make sure they at least made it to Solitude. The group of vampire hunters settled into the manor for the night wasting little time. The morning was no exception to the rush they were in, all except for Rarity who had to make sure she had all her make-up and was overall ready for the day.
They saddled up and were on the move to the beach. Once there, however the were greeted by the site of any and all boats and ships long gone or destroyed.
“Come on! Can’t we ever catch a break?!” RD, again the first to complain.
“I don’t understand. No one comes down here. How are the boats destroyed?”
“What if it was bandits?”
“You don’t understand, by no one I mean no one. With tales of ancient vampires going around even the most hardened pirates stay clear of this area. The only ones who come by here used to be the vampire hunters and myself. They must have returned if this happened. But it still doesn’t explain how. They can’t travel that fast, Even through the night. It’s impossible.”
“Unless they recruited other non-vampires to help them like those guys over there.”
A quick and confusing glance confirmed what Pinkie said was true. A group of about twenty or so different races that clearly weren’t vampires stood with weapons in hand.
“So you want to fight huh? Bring it on!”
“Rainbow, calm yourself. I’m sure Barix is working on a way to get us out of this without fighting.”
“No Twilight, We’re taking them down. They have been working with the vampires. I can smell it all other them.”
“Um, if you don’t mind darling, I’m going to stay back here with Fluttershy. You can handle it right?”
“Mind if I stay back here to watch?” The pink pony asks Rarity.
“You don’t want to help them Pinkie?”
“Blah. No way pozay. I don’t really like fighting. Why fight when you can throw a party.”
“Enough talk!”
“FUS!-”
Before Barix could finish, some of the enemies dressed in mage cloaks stepped forward and blasted fire ball after fire ball at the ground. This action kicked up the sand, concealing the beach by making it a dust covered arena. Barix lets his shout fly off with only the first word but it did little more than kick up more sand. The ponies were blinded but Barix still had his hearing. All that did however was allow him to hear something come from behind followed by a thud.
“Girls ‘cough’? Girls ‘cough’! Are you still there?” Sounds of struggle were evident. Twilight put her mind to work trying to come up with a plan. “Everypony retreat!”
Running backwards was all she could do, it was all any of them could do. As the dust cleared around Twilight she was able to make out the situation. Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie were all outside of the sand cloud. Applejack and Rainbow come stumbling out soon after.
“Good, everypony's here.”
“Everypony,” Applejack emphasized, “but not everyone. Where’d Barix run off to.”
The group of ponies only had a second before the group of thugs charged from the cloud. The pony warriors barely had time to react. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were the first ones to be struck down getting hit multiple times from all sides. Twilight had to do something.
“FUS! RO!”
All the thugs that were approaching Twilight from the center were hurled back by an invisible force. Landing a far distance off some of them had broken bones from the crash.
“That horse. She knows how to use the Thuum'm. Get it, get it and tie it up.”
Twilight is versed in many arcane arts. She has taken on creatures of nightmares, supernatural beings, and even the Lord of Chaos. Throughout all her knowledge, all her teachings and life experiences, the only thing that was going through her mind was ‘My friends.’ She turns around facing Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy. Using all the magic she could muster she teleports them as far as she safely could. With the sound of a magical zap her three friends were gone.
Turning back around all she could register was the sight of fist dropping on her face. The next feeling was one of pain as she took the beating from countless others around her. One sound was audible from the others, it was the sound of her wing snapping. Tears leaked from her face like a waterfall as the fear of death consumed the lavender alicorn.
“Stop! Step away from that thing.” Rainbow and AJ saw the supposed leader of the attackers move closer to Twilight. “Leave her alive. The master will want to see it alive. If nothing else any creature that knows the Thu’um is pure of blood. Tie it up and throw all of them in the next ship to arrive.”
“What about the ones that got away.”
“The might present a hazard. Gather a search party and find them. Be on guard at all times, if one of them knows the Thu’um the others might.”
Time went by slowly as the three ponies waited for something to happen. They were blindfolded now but that didn’t stop them from listening to the attackers. Rainbow could hear them alot better so she tried to remember as much as possible. She was even the one to hear the ship arrive first.
The ponies were loaded onto the ship and put near the bottom of the vessel. The cold metal bars made it clear they were now in a cell. As the last of the escorts left the room Rainbow let the others know.
“Ok girls, it’s just us now. But keep it down, I can hear them right outside.”
“Twi, are you ok?”
“Mmm mm, mmmm m.” Muffled noise was all that came out.
“Great well that plans out the window. Hey AJ, can you get loose?”
“No way sugarcube, whoever tied these robes knows what they’re doin. ah’ve been tryin’ to get undone since we got in tied up, nothin. What about yer wing’s?”
“No good. I’m tied up too. Twilight are you tied up too? Can you flap your wings?” A muffled sound that clearly meant ‘no’ made it very well known she didn’t want to move her wings. “Please Twil, I need to know how bad they are.”
Twilight couldn’t speak and the only way she could let Dash know how bad the wing is, was to flap it. Steeling herself she inhaled deeply, prepared to face any unbearable pain then...she flapped.
“MMMMMMMMMM!!!” That one flap sent her over the edge.
“Dam it! It’s a full bone snap. The skin is still attached so you should be good if we can find a way to split the wing. We’ll have to soon or else you’ll get poisoned.” Twilight muffled something again that sounded like a worried ‘WHAT’.
“How will she get poisoned?”
“Bone marrow. If too much of it leaks out into the bloodstream it can poison her. In about a week she’ll die, maybe a month being an alicorn. That’s if we live that long.” This was definitely something to think about. Not for long though as the apple bucking mare came up with a plan.
“Do ya still have yer helmet on Dash?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Hit the side of the wall with yer head. If we can get them to get in here they can help Twi. Ah heard them say a vampire might want her so that means they won’t want her to get poisoned.”
“Why to go with the reason AJ. Heal Twi to feed the enemy.” At that the cyan flyer banged her head against the bars. It took about five or ten minutes for the guards to get sick to of it before the came in.
“Hey idiots! Keep it down or we’ll beat you a new asshole.”
“Shut the buck up! This pony in here is going to be poisoned if you don’t splint her wing. Why don’t you off your lazy flanks and help her unless you want to spoil the meal for your vampire overlords. What’s it going to be?”
They were stuck. help them is the last thing the thugs wanted to do. But the would indeed be punished for letting something like this slip on by. Without any other option one of them replied-
“We’ll be back. Try anything funny and you’ll regret it.” The door shut, again they were alone.
“There you go. Anything else?”
“Yeah. Twi, can you still use magic?” Another ‘no’ came from the gagged mare.
“No magic, no flying, no weapons, no getting untied, nothing. Great.”
The bright, lavender flash receded as quickly as it began. The ponies caught in its magical grasp found their sight in the second the spell was finished. Slightly dazed for not having teleported very often the ponies had to gather their bearings before coming to grips with what just happened with their friends. Fluttershy was the first to cry.
“No Fluttershy. Please don’t cry. We have to keep smiling. Come on Fluttershy I know you can do it, let me see that smile.” The pegasus could only look to her with a tear filled face. Pinkie, in turn, could only bring her close for a hug with a waning smile of her own.
“Well girls…it looks like we’re just outside Solitude. We should go tell that general friend what happened.”
“That might be the best thing to do. You go on ahead, Rarity. We’ll be right behind you once we’re done here.” Pinkie says to her friend.
With that, Rarity walks into the city. Hearing to stories of when Applejack met the general helped, but wasn’t enough. She needed to speak with a guard to find the rest of the way. Once there, it didn’t take long to convince General Tullius to help.
“Do you know how many vampires are out there?”
“Unfortunately no. All we were able to see was a bunch of ruffians that worked for them.”
“They shouldn’t be a problem. My men will be able to take care of them but I’m more concerned about the vampires.” Tullius was trying to draw a plan on the war table he had in the castle while he was explaining. “For our attack to work we're going to need Barix as well as the Dawnguard.”
“I thought your men were trained soldiers. Surely they can held a few monsters.”
“I don’t doubt the skills of my men, but they have never fought against vampires before. With Barix gone missing and the Dawnguard being stationed across Skyrim, The odds of us succeeding aren’t looking so good.”
An imperial scout walks into the room.
“Sir, a small detachment of Dawnguard warriors just showed up. They said they were on the way to investigate the ruins when they heard vampires might be active again.”
“Good work soldier. Is there any sign of Barix?”
“None yet, sir. The other scouts are checking the beach, forests, and surrounding areas, but we still have no signs of his whereabouts.”
“Damn. Good work anyway. Make sure the Dawnguard warriors are properly equipped and ready. You’re dismissed.” The scout left for his duties. “I have to be honest with you miss Rarity, I don’t feel too confident about this.”
With that Tullius left to check on the soldiers. Rarity was completely lost. Twilight, and recently Barix, always knew what to do. They always had all the answers. They were the smart ones. Now…she was all alone in the fight. It was her time to step up to take on the danger. While Rarity wasn’t truly alone in this, she certainly felt alone.
Barix awoke on the ground seemingly on a wood platform.
“Gear…check. Weapons…check. Bound and chained up…not checked. Uhh. Splitting headache…check. Whoever you are, you want me for something. What do you want?”
“To give you a lesson.”
Barix knew that voice. He heard it only one time before, but that one time stuck with him so well that he could tell it from miles away in a giant crowd of others. It was the voice of the one creature that remained a mystery to him. The khajiit that beat him at the one thing he’s good at.
“White Fang. It had to be you.”
“Were you expecting somebody else?” The heavy, khajiit accent always present in his voice.
“You better have had a good reason for bringing me here.” Barix get’s to his feet. “You’ve taken me from my friends right before we got attacked.”
“You do not need to worry. White Fang’s master wouldn’t have said to do this if it didn’t work out in the end.”
“However much I’d love to know who your master is, I’m a bit short on time. Why am I here? And make it quick.”
“You have trouble controlling your instincts, yes?”
“…I won’t ask how you know about that. But I do want to know what you want done.”
“I have been instructed to train you on controlling your other self.”
“What do you mean other self?”
“Do not act like you cannot feel the presence inside.” White Fang grabs ahold of one of his axes. “Your training begins.”
White Fang rushed Barix who backed up before tripping. He fell backwards landing half on the platform and half off. It was only then did he take a good look at his surroundings. The woodwork was a small, six foot long, stand-alone platform that seemed to hover in midair. The surrounding area was nothing but a black void, probably the work of a daedric prince but he couldn’t tell which. Composing himself fast enough Barix was able to draw his sword to block the next attack.
Rarity and Fluttershy were sitting outside the local bar with some drinks. They were waiting for any news from Tullius, but that was over a few hours ago. Tension was slowly building. If anything they had to stay calm, for if there was anyone who could help their friends, it was Tullius. At least that’s what Barix had mentioned once before.
“Rarity, I need to speak to you about tomorrow. Do you have time?” The two mares look to the approaching questioner, General Tullius.
“Of course. Fluttershy dear, I’ll meet you in the room later on. Can you make it back by yourself?”
“I-I should be fine. You go. Somepony needs to care of the important things.” With a quick nod, Fluttershy’s generous friend left with the general.
Once inside the war room in the castle they got started.
“What’s wrong general? I don’t think you would call me in here for no reason.”
“Exactly. I wanted to tell you our plan of action for tomorrow.”
“Are we leaving already?”
“Yes. We can’t wait any longer. Whatever forces we have are going to load up in ships and head out at midnight.”
“What about Barix?”
“Trust me when I say I’m the last one who wants to go without him but we have no choice. We don’t know what they’re planning or how far they’ve come to full strength. We’ll have to hope he finds his way back in time.”
“I do hope you’re right about this. What time are we leaving?”
“We set sail tomorrow night after final preparations are made.”
“Why not earlier?”
“If we leave later we run the risk of reaching them at night, something none of us want. Also some of my men need to return from patrol. You can retire for now. Make sure you do everything you need to before we depart.”
With a silent nod Rarity walks out of the war room. Making her way to her room she noticed something. Fluttershy was staring quite oddly at some of the people going home. Thinking nothing of it the unicorn proceeded inside. Fluttershy on the other hoof, couldn’t help but notice the blood flowing through their veins and the rhythmic beat she heard in their chests.
“A cement block.” Deadpan was the country mares tone.
“Oh come on. How are you so good at this?”
“Cause, Rainbow, that’s the only thing we see in here.”
“…oh. Then we need to play something else.”
“What else do ya suggest? An eatin contest? Let’s just grab ourselves some uh this here dust and have a snack.” Twilight started moaning and squirming in her shackles during Applejacks sarcasm.
“Hey, I’m just trying to keep us entertained before the others get here. Anyway, what’s going on with Twi?”
“Mmm. Mmmm mm mmm mmm.” It was then proceeded with some jaw movements, what she could anyway.
“Ah think she’s hungry.”
“No duh. We haven’t had anything to eat since we got here. Give up the thought of food Twi. They won’t remove your gag when they know you can shout.”
“MMM! MMMMM MMM!” Twilight moved herself so the gag was almost pushed into Dashes mouth.
“Hey what’s your deal! Get away from me!”
“MMMM!”
“Oh ok. Now ah get it. She want’s you ta take it off.”
“Ooohhh. Why didn’t you say so?” Dash was given an ‘are you serious?’ look. “You know what I mean.” Twilight tried to stay still as Rainbow Dash was pulling at the gag. With some work she was able to remove it.
“That feels so much better. Now I know how Pinkie felt when Trixie took away her mouth.” Relief washed over Twilight.
“Hope ya got something for us. We’re drawin a blank.”
“I do have a plan. These vampires can’t be as tough in close quarters. After all they had to send a whole gang of mercenaries to get us.”
“Sounds good Twi. I’m ready whenever you girls are.” Rainbow was eager to get back into the fight.
“Not ta put a damp in the situation but...why didn’t we just take off that magic dampener of yer’s when the guard fell asleep?”
…
“Oh, right.”
A few awkward hoof motions and Rainbow got the dampener off her friend. Twilight loosened all the ropes and bandings keeping them detained.
“Much better. So Twilight, what next?”
“We’re getting out of here. Now.” Twilight blasts the door open with a firebolt. “You two get up close and knock ‘em down. I’ll stay out of reach in case-AHH.” Twilight tried to run out the cage but unknowingly made her wing twitch in the process.
“Ah gotcha Twi.” Applejack wormed her way under her friend, picking her up.
“What are you doing? We’re a sitting duck now.”
“Stop getting your tail in a knot. I can take care of any vamps coming our way. Just point the way out.” Rainbow began flying out of the cell, nothing able to stop her.
Barix kneels, bloody and beaten. Stab wounds adorn his body. White Fang stands tall over his challenger without a bruise in sight.
“Have you learned your lesson yet?”
“...Shove it...”
“When will you learn? Your time grows short here.”
“What do you care? All you’re doing is following your master's commands like the good little kitty you are.”
“*sign* You will never control your beast half if you don’t focus. Instead you make smartass quips about White Fang’s species. Get up, you need to keep...”
“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?”
“It would seem that you are needed back home. You’re friends are going to die if you’re not there to help them.”
“What! Send me back now!”
“Very well. Realize this, your training will continue at a later time.”
“I’m counting on it.”
Barix drifted unconscious by an unseen force. Some time later he woke up. Gathering himself as per the usual, he began his mental checklist. All gear accounted for. No restraints or bruises. Location is in front of an old castle...wait. Old castle?
“Castle Volkihar. There’s no way-.”
“FLUTTERSHY!”
Thought was nonexistent and reaction took over as the dragonborn ran into the castle. Busting down the front doors he saw that bodies were littering the floor. Most of them were clearly humans. Making his way through the corridors to the sound of screaming all the while a war was being fought around him. The Dawnguard and Legion versus the Vampires and their pet hounds.
Barix ran past everything, only focusing on the screams of a handful. He ran into the throne room where the main battle was about to begin. Everyone was already grouped off. Twilight, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash in one. Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Tullius, and a few dawnguard in the other. Vampires were closing in on them as Vingalmo* stood near the throne with Fluttershy close by. Vampires surrounded everyone.
“Hey,” Everyone looked at him “I not leaving here until you blood suckers are dead.”
The Legion, along with their allies the Dawnguard, arrived on shore near the back of the castle. Daybreak was upon them and they needed to climb the wall fast. The plan was already set in motion so the troops got right to work taking out their grappling hooks. The wall was high enough so that most soldiers were having trouble getting the hook over the ledge.
“Fluttershy, quick. You must fly those hooks up to the ledge.”
“O-ok. I’ll try.”
With a small flight up, the canary mare dropped the grapple hooks to be secured. With a secured tug the soldiers down below start climbing up. Soldiers and soldiers got to the top with Rarity being, very awkwardly carried, up to the top. Pinkie somehow made it up on her own. Upon arrival, Tullius starts going to work with his military self.
“Rarity! I can’t find Fluttershy!” Pinkie Pie comes running from inside.
“What?” A double take confirmed that. “Where did she go.”
“I climbed my way up way up, well actually I walked up here not climbed, but when I got here I saw Fluttershy walking away. Maybe not so much away but deeper inside the castle. I tried to stop here but she wouldn’t respond when I said something. I ran after her and even though I tried to keep up I soon found some vampires. They tried to get me but I was too fast so I-”
“Calm down darling. What we need to do is find her. General?”
“What is it? We’re about to head out.” Tullius along with a few men were the only ones left behind.
“We need to find our Fluttershy. She’s in the castle somewhere.”
“We can try to find her on the way. In the mean time we have some undead to vanquish.”
Tullius lead his followers threw the halls of the old castle. Already, battles littered the halls. Vampires and soldiers at each others throats. It was things like these that put a heavy heart on Pinkie. Soon enough the group came to the main chamber.
“Fluttershy!” The two mares shout as they see their canary friend.
It was followed by a nasty hiss from the now vampiric pony. Vingalmo was very surprised by the new invaders. Not so much due to his new blood thirsty pet. The vampire lord turns to one of his lackeys.
“How the they get in here? You were suppose to make sure this didn’t happen.”
“Awesome! You guys made it.” Dash was hovering above Applejack and Twilight.
“That’s it! Kill them all!”
“Hey!” Everyone turns to see the dragonborn. “I’m not leaving until all you blood suckers are dead.”
Barix lunges toward Vingalmo but is quickly swatted away. The new vampire lord starts his transformation into the ugly terror that puts humanity in shaking boots. The dragonborn sees this and begins to transform into his own beast form. The mighty werewolf. Twilight and Rarity’s group were done with finishing off their vampires just in time to see Fluttershy, the newly changed Flutterbat, fly up and out the chamber window.
“Fluttershy’s getting away.” Rainbow proceeded to fly after her.
“Rainbow wait!” Twilight scream to no avail.
“I suggest we get out of here. Barix won’t be able to fight off the vampire if he has to watch over us.” Tullius yells out to everyone.
“We have to go after Rainbow and Fluttershy anyway. Let’s go AJ.”
“Ahm on it.”
Applejack lead the way, somewhat slowly, to the outside. Tullius and his men stayed inside to help with the fight as Applejack, Twilight, Pinkie Pie and Rarity somewhat ran out the castle where Rainbow was in a mid-air fight with Fluttershy. The battier of the two on the winning side.
“Rainbow, don’t let her bite you! I think that’s how it started!” Twilight used her enhanced voice to shout up high. In the process giving her carrier an instant ear ache.
“Gee, ya think?” Which was followed by a failed bite to the neck then a successful hoof to the face.
“We have to do something. Our two pegasi are already up there and Twilight’s hurt. What are we going to do?” Rarity wished she had her couch with her right now.
“Pinkie, can you make one of your flying machines fast enough to get up there?”
“What kinda question is that? Of course I can silly.”
“Excellent. Get started on that. Rarity, I’m going to give you those wings from before. You’re the only one that can use wings effectively.”
“I shall do what I can. Cast the spell Twilight.”
In a short time the two mares were up in the skies trying and failing to help Fluttershy in any way they could. She only fought back against her friends. Instinct overtook the weak mare completely. It must have only been a few minutes before part of the wall came bursting outward. Two beasts proceeded to get to their feet, the vampire lord and Barix as a werewolf.
The two proceed to battle each other in a primal clash of titans. As the vampire attempts to vaporize the dragonborn with its many spells, Barix only dodges them using his superior speed. Every time he tries to get in close for a lethal strike he is either repelled by a force spell or smacked away by a claw. Ending this battle fast was going to require more tactic then he’s used to as a werewolf. Barix gave some distance between him and the enemy for a strategy. At the moment there was only one that stood out, and with little time to work with he had to go with it. Giving a great howl he summons two ice wolves by his side. They waste no time attacking the vampire lord.
Before the dragonborn could attack he was assaulted by something that fell from the sky. Whatever it was it clung to his face for dear life. Not even shaking his head vigorously would loosen the thing. It was finally removed when Barix clawed at his own face and threw it away. He ignored the new gashes he created to stare at the vampiric pony that was currently hissing at him.
“Barix,” Twilight yelled out, “don’t kill her. That thing is still Fluttershy.”
“Not for long.”
Barix lunged for the four legged monster. All he needed to do was bite her as the venom would take care of the rest for him. It was lucky for him the vampire scrunched up into a scared little ball. The bite, the blood, and lastly the crash to the ground. Releasing the unconscious mare near Twilight he was raring to continue the fight.
“What’s the deal!?!” Twi yells at Barix. “You might have killed her!”
“Shut up and trust what I’m doing. Take care of her. I’m going to finish this.”
Sacrifices had to be made in order to finish the fight at all. No choice but to go all in. Full concentration was funneled toward the vampire lord and the two recently deceased ice wolves. Running straight for the blood-thirsty monster it began attacking with spells. Barix had to maneuver around them which cut his own speed slightly every time he did so. Just before striking distance he angled himself to the left, kicking up dirt to his enemies face as he sped off.
Coming back around he was open for a swift attack. Slamming into the vampire he chomped his jaws into its neck and then breaking the spine when it hit the side of the castle. Rarity and Pinkie ran up to their hero. As they waited for some kind of response all that they could hear was his heavy breathing. The two ponies looked to each other in concern and Rarity was the first to speak up.
“Barix…are you alright, dear?”
“(low growling)”
“Ooooo. That’s not so good.”
“Pinkie you understood th-On second thought never mind that. What did he say?”
“That bitey guy stabbed Barix in the tummy and shoulder. Now if he moves it might kill him from blood loss.”
“Oh dear. Ummm…Twilight! We may need you up here!” Good thing Rarity knew how to handle a panic attack.
“One minute. I just gotta help Flut-,” A loud howl interrupted Twilight making everyone look out toward the horizon, “What was that?”
“Sounds like Barix.” Rainbow added.
“That can’t be he’s right there,” Twilight tries almost too quickly to come up with something, “a friend of his perhaps?”
“AAAAHHHH!!!”
Pinkie screams in fright as a statue directly above Barix falls from the top of the castle. Rarity, having no choice, pulls him away from the incoming ruble in time to crush only the newly redead vampire. Before he hits the ground however, Barix disappears from sight.
“Barix? Barix! Twilight, he’s gone!”
“What do you mean gone?”
As that sentence was finished a werewolf makes itself known in front of the unconscious Flutterbat. Fear grips the ponies as they see the blood on its teeth and possibly dead and hairy dragonborn on its back. The new wolf picks up the canary mare slowly all the while making sure to keep eye contact on the ponies.
“Who are you?” Twilight asks with no avail. The werewolf disappears just as fast as it appeared.
“Just like that,” Rainbow then fell to her haunches, “I let that thing take Fluttershy without a fight. Some element of loyalty I am.” Which is then followed by a hoof to the face, sending her to the ground. “What was that for!?!”
“For you bein too stupid for yer own good! Do ah always got ta be the stronger of us?”
“The buck are you going on about now?”
“Think about it Rainbow,” Yeah this is what RD needed, another speech from Princess Egghead, “if this new werewolf intended to harm us then why didn’t it do so. It could have easily killed us with its speed since we’re in a weak state ourselves. The only thing it took was our injured.”
“To eat maybe.”
“I’ll stick with the ladder of the two on this one, Rainbow.”
“What do we do now?” Rarity spoke up as the two groups joined up.
“Pinkie, do you have any insight about Barix and Fluttershy?”
“I really wish I could say yes, but nah-uh. I got nothin.”
Splitting headache…check. Wait. Uncheck. Body completely killing…check. Taste of blood…check. Cold…check. Yep, Barix was definitely a werewolf before passing out. But with a realization that he was unchained they must be friendly or…that smell. It was the smell of the wilderness one gains from being a huntress mixed with a slight tinge of blood.
“Of course it was you.” Barix struggles to sit up. “You didn’t get my hint, did you?”
“You mean the one where you abandoned the Companions. No. I don’t think that one stuck.”
“I had no choice. What was I supposed to do? After Kodlak died I had to leave. The silver hand wouldn’t have known about Jorrvaskr if I never came into the picture.”
“There’s something we never told you, mostly because you never neturned. None of us blame you for what happened. It was you who returned all the pieces of Wuuthrad and single handedly killed off Kodlak’s werewolf spirit. People die and you can’t do anything about it.”
“Thanks for the pep talk Aela...I guess. Anyway, are you going to tell me what happened or are going to make me guess?”
“Ysgramor’s Tomb. One less witch head lining the wall.”
“What?” The dragonborn scans the room to find Fluttershy unconscious and mostly intact of bruises. “You saved her?”
“I had to, you had passed out after all. I assumed that’s why you bit her. Your other friends seemed to imply that as well. And no, I didn’t have time to chat with them.”
“Thanks for that too. I should be fine here. You can go now.”
“Just like that? Look Barix, I know you’re tough but you still took a beating in that fight.”
“These ruins have been sealed off for about three ages. I should be fine down here until I’m ready to move out.”
“Here,” the huntress leaves behind a bow with some arrows, “In case you need protection.”
She left the dragonborn behind with better graces than when he left the Companions. All that’s left to do is wait for Fluttershy to wake. With the wolf blood taking over and Aela killing her wolf spirit, everything was back to normal.
Fluttershy was starting to wake up.
“Good, you’re getting up.”
“Uh...huh?”
“Things got a little complicated but we need to move.”
“What? Um...O-ok.”
Time to walk back and what a walk it would be. The tomb was halfway across Skyrim. It was anything but a boring walk however. Barix starts out by explaining everything to the canary mare. Shocked was only one word to to describe what she felt although the long walk was long enough to allow her to accept what happened. About a week later they came to the front of Lakeview Manor.
“Hey! Anyone here?”
“Barix?” Rainbow pokes her head out of the second floor.
The group was sitting at the table. Six ponies sat listening while the dragonborn told his part of the story and performed minor spells on himself.
“So here’s the deal. From now on you six must find the rest of the dragon claws and daedric artifacts by yourself.”
“But you said you would help us. Ever since we save you, you said you would do anything that it took to get us back home. Is it because of the vampire incident?” Twilight brought up a valid point.
“No. It’s true that I said I would help, I can’t help you if my resources are gone. My house, connections and income are all part of that. And I can’t maintain any of it without money. As it stands I’m running out so I’ll need to work overtime.”
“What is it that you do anyway?” Rainbow asked.
“I’m a bounty hunter. I also collect money through bandits, selling goods I find on the road, and loot dungeons. Now just because I’m not going with you, doesn’t mean you can do what you want. To the world you aren’t average citizens. You’ll need some kind of documentation that says otherwise, including ones that will give you access to my various recourses in Skyrim.”
“All this just so we can travel? This world is simply to complicated for me to understand.” Rarity was being her dramatic self again.
“Maybe more than that, I’ll have to see later on. By the way, the vampires were supposed to be collecting dragon claws. Did you find any?”
“Yes!” Twilight levitates six dragon claws to the table from their room. “We now have all the dragon claws we need, plus the one in Riverwood of course. It was hard to get them away from the general, but we were able to win him over in the end.”
“Sound like him alright.” Barix was done with his healing when the exhaustion caught up to him. “I think I’ll continue this in the morning I need to get some rest.”
“Oh-um...ok. We’ll talk later then.”
“Are you ok Twilight? You sound like there’s something on your mind.”
“It can wait until you’ve had some sleep.”
“If you say so.”
With that Barix is off to bed. The ponies continue their usual routine. Twilight on the other hand couldn’t seem to focus on her studies.
Barix was busy getting ready for a bounty lead on some bandits in his armory. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Twilight sat near the door listening. The others too occupied with other activities to pay attention.
“I already told you.” She always got under the dragonborns skin.
“Yeah, using a lot of words and not a lot of sense.”
“(sign) Fine. We have seven dragon claws right now and five daedric artifacts.”
“The dragon claws are coral, sapphire, glass, ivory, emerald, iron, and golden. The golden we don’t have but can grab at any time.” Twilight lists off the claws.
“Fer artifacts we got two rings, two staffs, and a mallot.”
“Mace, but close enough AJ. So all you need is two more artifacts then you can go home. Simple enough Rainbow?”
“I guess.”
“Now, while I’m off collecting money you six need to find the other two artifacts. Think you can do that?”
“It would be easy if we had a lead to start us off.”
“Lydia’s taking care of that. Go see her for details. One more thing Twilight. This is for you.” Barix gives Twilight a book. Her eyes light up of course. Before she could ask what is about, Barix spoke again. “It's for your training when I'm not around. Now if you excuse me.” Just like that he departs for lands unknown.
The girls head outside to see the house carl splitting wood. The logs were already a decent size but she was making splinters at this point. Twilight was the first to speak up.
“Lydia, I think you may be overdoing it a little with the firewood.”
“On the contrary, wood splitting is an old form of developing ones strength and form during combat. The smaller you can make the logs, the better your precision and power will be with your weapon.”
“Ya don't say. Ah ought to try that some time.” AJ chimed in.
“I assume you're here for the lead on the artifact.” She stops chopping for now. “Head east to the city of Riften. There you'll look for a woman named Blackbriar. She'll give you want you need.”
“East towards Riften to find Blackbriar, got it.”
“Are you all going or is it just you three?”
“It's the four of us.” The group look up to see Pinkie in her armor ready to roll. “I can't wait to get back home. The sugar here is too sour and don't even get me started on the nightmares.”
“I know Flutters won't want to come, but what about Rarity?”
“Oh yeah she said she'll stay with Fluttershy for now. Something about taking it easy for a while.”
“Can't blame her. This world really takes it out of you.” Twilight sees the wagon ready to go with Arvak tied to the reins. “Come on girls, we have an artifact to collect.”
Getting on the the wagon it became clear that the dead horse wouldn't move.
“Uh, hello? Equestria to Arvak? We gotta go.” House noises followed. “Hey, don't give me that. Just move your flank!”
“Rainbow don't be so rude.” It was Twilight's turn. “What will it take to get you to take us to Riften?” More horse noises followed which was then followed up by a facehoof by Twilight and a deadpanned, “Really?”
“Just like an everyday, normal stallion. All he wants is some flank to drool over.”
“I got this one!” Pinkie pulled out two things; a fishing rod and a picture of Shadow Mares flank. She attached the picture to the hook and brought it in front of Arvak who then proceeded to move. “I love fishing.”
“You jus so happen ta have a picture of that mares rear end? You know what, never mind. Ah probably don't want the answer to that.”
--------------------------------------------
Kicking in the door made for quite the loud entrance, but Barix had the element of surprise on his side.
“Knock knock. Come out and face your fate with dignity and I promise to make it quick.”
Nothing. The place definitely looked inhabited but with no people around. Did they know he was coming. He certainly didn't take the shadow approach but he didn't hear them either. Before he could come up with any sort of plan, he was attacked. The bandits came from all sides. That didn't matter, Barix cut them down all the same. As the last one came into view he could tell it was the chief.
“FUS!”
A shield came up not only blocking his attack, but reflected the shout back at the dragonborn. With no time to react Barix was hit with his own Thuum'm knocking him into the wall. Dizziness, coughing, and pain were only some adjectives used to describe his current state.
“The dragonborn here at last.” Barix could hear the leader speak over the ringing in his ears. “Colt knew you be coming Colts way ever since you sent out those messages about the Daedric Artifacts. TRY AND TAKE IT FROM COLT NOW!”
Barix was knocked out before he knew what happened.
-------------------------------------------
Finally they made it to Riften. It took the different pictures of Shadow Mare but the four ponies found their way to the outer gates. Rainbow was muttering something about stallions thinking with a different brain when the front guard stopped them.
“Halt. This city is for is for taxpayers only. Pay the toll or leave.”
“He never said anything about a toll. Do you girls have any bits to spare?”
“Hang on Twi. Ah got this.” This was Applejacks chance to shine. “You can have the toll, but who do you want it from?”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Do you want it from, AJ pointed to each of her friends as she described them, the speedy stealth assassin, the arch mage who knows who knows the ancient dragon language, the one that do anything to anyone or me, the melee juggernaut? You choose.”
“I-I'll just open the gate.”
“Wow AJ. I didn't figure you for the threatening type. You got some brass ones alright.”
“Nah. Ya jus gotta know how to talk to people, that's all. A bit of that country pride was showing.”
Entering the city was no problem after that. Some people gave them stares while some ignored them. The city was huge, especially with its lower area.
“How are we going to find this Blackbriar in a place this big. It's almost as big as Canterlot.”
“I think Pinkie already has the right idea.”
On cue the pink mare came back from talking with someone else.
“Any good news?”
“Turns out Blackbriar isn't a person but a family and they pretty much run the city but that's OK people here seem friendly enough so I asked around to see if we can find them but everyone said to stay away until I finally found a guy that would talk, it was that guy right there you saw me, any way-”
“Pinkie!” The other three shout at once.
“It's this way.” An apologetic smile adorned her face.
Pinkie lead the way through the bustling city streets until they stopped in front of a large building. It was definitely the biggest in the city and might have house those people called Jarls. Walking up to the entrance they were stopped yet again by a guard.
“Halt. No is allowed inside, especially animals.” The group looks to Applejack.
“We're here looking for sometime called Blackbriar on behalf of the dragonborn.”
“What?” The guards were struck in awe at this revelation.
“No way he sent these creatures for something important like this. He’s more out of his mind than we thought.”
“What is this dragonborns name and what did he send you here for?”
“Barix the dragonborn sent us about the,” she glanced around to make sure no one was listening when the got the idea and bend down so she could whisper it, “about the Daedric Artifacts.”
“By the gods. Open the doors and let them in.” The other guard follows the order. “Follow me. I'll take you to her.”
They were let through the halls of the building until they were stopped by someone a rather large chair.
“Guard. What in the meaning of bringing these animals into my throne room?”
“My lord, these...ponies are here for in for the artifact. They past the two part question without fail.” The Jarl, as it seems, took a second to take that in.
“That will be all. I'll take it from here.”
“Yes my lord.” The guard retreated to his post.
“You four, this way.” The ponies followed suit. “It has been quite some time since the dragonborn has called in his favors.”
“Does his influence reach everywhere?” Twilight was getting curious.
I don't know much myself but I understand correctly then if the dragonborn were call for the help of all his allies, I believe he could unit all of Skyrim. You'll have to ask my grandmother those kind of questions if you want any detail on the subject. Here we are.” The Jarl stopped in front of a door to knock on it. “The call is answered.”
“Enter.” A wheezing answer came followed by a few hacking coughs. The ponies entered to see an old woman with two assistants. “Are you the ones he sent over?”
“Yes mama.”
“Leave us.” The assistants did so along with the Jarl. The four ponies gathered around the bed. It was then Twilight noticed how down Pinkie was. “It's been so long since I’ve had company from the outside world. Tell me, how does Skyrim fair?”
“We don't have time for this.” Rainbow shout whispered to Twilight.
“Stop it, Rainbow. Just wait.” Twilight turns to the elder. “We can't say. We've only been here a few months without getting into this world's politics.”
“Just the answer I was looking for. Enough about that. My time grows ever short and I'd like to repay my debt to the dragonborn before I go. Have you heard about a Redguard man named Colt?” A ‘no’ shake came from all ponies. “He is the most wanted criminal mastermind in The Rift and the third most wanted in all of Skyrim. I was in possession of a Daedric Artifact but had to give it to him as payment for...a dealing, lets leave it at that.”
“Where can we find this Colt?”
“You don't. He is wanted for many reasons, evading the law is one of many things he is guilty of, one that his is very good at doing.”
“It's no problem. All we need is Barix. He can handle anything.”
The elder woman starts laughing but quickly starts another coughing fit. Twilight levitates a glass of water over to her. Once the cough had died down she took a few sips to sooth her throat.
“Tell me, just how well do you know Barix?”
“He's the dragonborn. He's already saved our skins more times than ah can count and he's fairly wealth.”
“Don't forget about the Dark Brotherhood, the Companions, and the Legion. He been in all them before.”
“Did you ever wonder how he knows the number of people that he does.” Again she received shakes of the head as a no. “Back in my day I was known as Maven Blackbriar, leader of Riften even though I didn't yet hold the title of Jarl. I had everybody in my pocket. Then one day I met him and my life was forever transformed.”
“You met Barix when he was a kid?”
“You misunderstand. History tells of all kinds of dragonborn. Some rise to power and some die before their time. What no book will ever tell you is there has always been one from the very beginning. One dovahkiin hiding in the shadows where only a select few are allowed to see.” See points to a painting in front of her bed weakly. It depicts a man that looks very similar to Barix. “The date of that painting takes it back five hundred years ago.”
“I don't get it.”
“Rainbow, ah’ll leave this one to your imagination.”
“You must be mistaken.” Twilight looks back to the former Jarl. “That's just someone from his past bloodline.”
“I was just like you once, unable to see the truth. How else do you explain anything in his life. The number of people he knows, the money he has, the skills he possesses. The truth is Barix had lived for thousands of years.”
“Come on girls we're done here.” Twilight walks out the door with her friends.
“You know it to be true! Don't let your feeling for him cloud your judgement!” She descended into another coughing fit. The two assistants rush in to help. Everyone let's the group walk out.
----------------------------------------------
The group of ponies met back outside on the wagon to discuss what to do next.
“So let's address the elephant in the room. Barix is...quite old.”
“No he's not Applejack. He can't be.”
“Come on Twi, this isn't exactly new to us.”
“Yeah Princess Celestia is already super old and she looks young and everything.” Pinkie chimed in.
“But how? Nothing I've read or seen points to anything here becoming immortal. Nothing! There is no possible way for him to have existed for that long.”
“He's only helped us even going so far as to risk his life. Why are you so desperate to make him out as some sort of enemy?”
“I'm not it's just,” a small blush adorned her face, “look let's just back to finding the bandit. Where do you start?” The other three rolled their eyes on the change of subject.
“We don't know where ta start because he's been hidin all this time. If, and that's a big if, we find him we'll need a startin point.”
“Hey Twilight, why don't you use that clear spell to find him and make the search super short.” Pinkie suggests.
“You mean Clairvoyance? It's no good. The spell needs the caster to at least have a general idea of where to go from the beginning. It only acts to pinpoint the destination. We'll need some type of lead. Any ideas?” Twilight asks with AJ making the first suggestion.
“What if we just head back to the house, we can ask Barix for some ideas?”
“He left for the mission remember.” Dash added.
“Then let's use the that clarify spell to find him?”
“Good one Pinks.” Rainbow looks to Twilight. “I thought you were supposed to be the smart one.” She added a sarcastic grin to go with that little jab.
“I...let me see if it'll work.” A quick cast confirms it does. “Arvak, let’s get moving.” He doesn't move. “Uh...Pinkie, can I get a hoof?”
“I'm already on it.” Pinkie dangles another picture of Shadow Mares plot and the team was off.
Soon, hopefully, they'll find Barix and have an answer on how to begin looking for the bandit in question. Twilight was finding it really hard to study a new shout with the new developments floating in her head. Finding out Barix is much older than she was bothered her more than it should have, and she had no idea why.
“VEN!” Nothing “VEN! VEN! VEN!” Twilight was getting tired.
“Just give it a break Twilight. Even I know to take breaks every now and again.”
“I know what you need,” Pinkie Pie pulls out a tray of cupcakes, “a yummy snack.”
Twilight takes one in her magic and reluctantly eats the sugary treat. Her mind was still on Barix. She felt like a child compared to him and somehow that sent a shiver down her spine. Still, no matter how hard Twilight tried to concentrate, she couldn't focus on anything.
“Hey Twilight, cast that spell again to make sure we're going in the right direction.”
The unicorn did so and found they were still going in the right direction. The trip so far had taken them off the main road and onto a dirt path. Soon they wouldn't be able to take the wagon much farther.
“Um, here's a dumb thought. What if Barix is movin to different places? We could jus be followin him throughout Skyrim.”
“Well great. Thanks for that AJ.” Rainbow was clearly bored enough to start an argument.
“Fer what?”
“For saying we've been wasting our time. I'd really wanted to do that.”
“It's not mah fault y’all didn't come up with that thought before I did.”
“Your right. It's Twi’s fault. She's smart enough to know better.” No response from the mare being accused.
“Get off her back. It's not her fault. Why don't you get off yet flank and do something productive fer once. You haven't done one thing since we set out by ourselves.”
“What do you expect me to do? I can't cast any spells.”
“You got that outstanding memory when flyin don't ya. Get those wings flappin instead of that trap uh yers and scout the area.”
Rainbow stuck her tongue at the country mare before taking off. As if on queue the cart stopped moving.
“Uh, girls...I ran out of pictures.”
“*sign* How ya holden up Twilight?”
“I'm fine. Let's just worry about the road ahead. Where are we?”
--------------------------------------------
Barix was waking up. As he did his usual checklist routine began.
“Weapons...uncheck. Armor...uncheck. Chained up...check. Wounds...uncheck.” Barix spoke up to talk to whoever was around. “Well you want me alive so want to you want from me?”
“Hold tight, my boss wants to see you.”
“Good. And tell him this, when the moon rises the beast comes out.”
The guard left. A quick survey of the area revealed nothing. No familiar smells, a different looking dungeon, and chains made of silver. They already knew. It wasn't long before the lackey came back with his boss...the one with the annoying voice from before.
“Ah, Colt had made the score of the century. Colts enemies cannot be underestimated so Colt locked you up in a silver prison. Try to escape, AND IT'S SOVNGARDE FOR YOU!” He broke out in a victory laugh.
“There's always a way around prisons. On the notion that we'll both save time going back and forth, mostly because I don't want to hear you talk, you have a reason for keeping me alive. What is it?”
“Speak to Colt like that again and Colt will have your head! You've killed Colts minions, but Colt is willing to forgive this transgression if the second ultimate warrior comes to work for Colt. Speak your answer now!”
“I'm busy helping some friends. Maybe you can ask me next time I'm in the area and I'm beheading your men.”
“DON'T THINK COLT WON'T COME IN THERE AND-oh. You cannot fool Colt that easily. Colt has played this game before.”
“Trust me when I say I've played this more than you ever could.” Barix whisper to himself before continuing. “So all the metal in this cell are silver right?”
“Correct. Colt even had Colts men put in several traps made of silver. There is no escape.”
“So that means the rest is stone. By the looks of it, rotting stone that any dragon could break.”
“Colt has also enchanted the walls with wards and illusions. Colt had built the perfect prison for the dragonborn to rot in.”
“Have you ever been trapped by a Daedric Prince? They has prisons that put this pile of rubble to shame.”
“DO NOT TEST COLT! Colt had only spared your life so you will repay Colt for the destruction you've caused Colts operations! Colt is giving you one day and no more to come up with an answer. Colt hopes Colt doesn't have to end the life of another great warrior.”
“You might as well kill me now because I'll never say yes. That is if you can.”
The red guard leader held up his hand to activate a spell. Barix received a lightning shock from the walls as the spell activates. Colt continues the spell for a good thirty seconds listening to the dragonborns cries before stopping. He took another minute before speaking again.
“Your time starts now dragonborn. Do not disappoint Colt.” The leader walks away leaving his prisoner to think.
“Come on Twilight. Find me soon. I don't think I can get out of this alive without you.”
“…please…”
-------------------------------------------
Rainbow Dash came back with an expression that had a mix of both confusion and worry. As she hovered near the stationary cart the others looked on in anticipation.
“Don’t keep us waiting Rainbow. Did you find anything useful up there?”
“Uh...maybe. Can you use that finding spell again. I need to triple check something.”
Twilight turns to the other two who shrug in confusion. It was one thing for Rainbow to miss something while walking, but while flying? Nothing could get past that mare. The alicorn holds the spell as Rainbow returns to the air.
“Be back in a sec.”
“This is very strange. What could have Rainbow in such a state?”
“Not sure, but there’s gotta be somethin extremely wrong ta get her like this.”
“Butts!” The country mare and princess look to Pinkie at outburst. “Why don’t we use our butts for a new picture. Then we can move again.” A very noticeable blush makes it way on both mares.
“Pinkie, I’m not showin mah flank to nopony. Especially somepony like that.” Pointing to Arvak.
“Plus we don’t have a camera.” Twilight inputs. “Hey. If we don’t have any kind of camera then how did you...ow. My head hurts.”
“Yeeeaaaahh. It’s better to leave that one as is.”
Rainbow Dash finally comes back but from rear of the cart.
“Girl. Look at this.” The three other mares look to see the end of the Clairvoyance spell about thirty hooves away from the cart curving around a bend.
“But...that’s the end of the spell. How?”
“This trail loops around a group of trees! We’ve been going in a circle! What the hay Twi!”
“Me? How was I supposed to know this was going to happen?”
“If you didn’t-”
“You two can’t ju-”
“You’re so arra-”
“STOP IT!” Pinkie of all ponies stops the argument from going on. “Come on girls. We’re friends. Why are you at eachothers throats like this? It’s not like you. Please stop it before this whole mess gets out of hoof.” Tears formed in her eyes.
“I guess I am quick to put blame.” Rainbow starts.
“Ah need to check mahself before ah do anypony else.” Applejack adds.
“Being the princess, I should have noticed something earlier.” Twilight finishes.
“Sorry girls.” They all say at once which makes Pinkie bounce back with a group hug.
“There, all better. Now you can investigate that magical disturbance that’s keeping us in a circle.” She let go of the death hug after one last squeeze.
“Not to be that pony again, but if there’s a magical disturbance then why didn’t you pick up on that?” Rainbow asks Twilight.
“I don’t know. Let me try to actively find it.” Twilight feels around with her magic and sure enough, she spots something in the center of their round-about. “There is something here. It’s pretty big.”
“Maybe Barix is hiddin in there, whatever there is.”
“I think I can lower the barrier. Just...one...moment. Maybe a bit longer. Whoever did this was an expert in illusion magic.”
A very loud explosion sound was heard which made the ponies cringe and cover their ears. At the same time an invisible barrier was lowered revealing a mid-sized fortress. The fort itself was slightly decayed but was used quite recently due to all the others rushing about with weapons drawn. Weapons that were held by screaming people who were heading straight for the group. Twilight performs the spell one last time to have the trail, not loop in a circle as before, instead it was directing them inside the fort.
“Barix is inside. They must be keeping him hostage or something.”
“Isn’t he the one who bails us out most of the time?”
“Who cares,” AJ took up her warhammer in hoof, “it’s time fer some much needed action. YEEEEEEE HAAAAAAA!”
------------------------------------------
Colt approaches the dragonborn once more for what might be the last time.
“Colt almost wishes for your suffering to end. All the dragonborn need to do is join Colt and you will be free.”
“Just give it up. Kill me if you’re going to keep talking. You’re just so annoying.”
“HOW DARE YOU INSULT COLT AFTER THE GENEROUS OFFER COLT PRESENTS TO YOU! LEARN SOME RESPECT, MAGGOT!”
“I do. I have respect for the Greybeards, the Dark Brotherhood, untamed beasts of the night, and even millennia old dragons. But not for third rate scum like you.”
“THAT’S IT! COLT TAKES BACK AND OFFER COLT GAVE YOU! COLT WILL TAKE PLEASURE IN KILLING YOU!” Before the red guard could activate a killing blow spell, there was a loud explosion heard throughout the fort. “How is this possible? FIND OUT WHO DARES TO BREAK COLTS BARRIER AND KILL THEM!” The lackey ran off to follow his order given.
“You know what don’t kill me. I’m about to leave here anyway and I got thing I gotta do.”
“Is that so? Well Colt will give your friends a warm welcome, BEFORE COLT SENDS THEM TO SOVNGARDE!” With that he walks away.
“Great, now what am I going to do?” Barix spoke to himself.
A minute later he hears something hopping around in the hallway. before he can ask who’s there Pinkie pops into view.
“Pinkie?”
“Barix,” she momentarily freezes in midair then falls back down again, “there you are. I’ve been looking for you. The others are outside playing with their new friends.”
“Good to know-say, you don’t know of a way to get me out of here do you?”
“Of course silly,” the pink mare pulls a key set off the wall, “if anypony can, it’s me.”
Rarity stares at the incomplete dragonbone armor in curiousity. A pull in the back of her mind telling her to finish it but...how? No other materials were available to make it. She would need the help of a real dragon. A dead one anyway. At some point, Fluttershy interrupts her train of thought.
“Rarity, um, are you ok? You’ve been looking at that suit for a long time now.”
“Yes darling, I’m perfectly fine. I’m just thinking on how I would finish this armor for Barix.”
“How were you planning on doing that? Don’t you need another dragon for that? A...not-alive one?”
“That’s just the problem. I was thinking of finishing this as a sign of gratitude but I have no idea where to find the, well, ‘parts’ for such a task.”
“This suit needs bones of d-dragons, right?”
“Exactly. I’ll have to ask Lydia.”
Rarity exited the basement while Fluttershy stayed a bit longer staring at the suit of armor. Not even finished and the armor was emanating a sense of fear she couldn’t describe. It was almost paralyzing. All she could do is wonder what it would look like once it was completed.
----------------------------------------------
Another lackey down but still no armor or weapons to be found. Barix was beginning to think he would need plan B. It’s been...well a long since he used plan B. If he saw that weird red guard he might have no choice but-
“Just move on already.”
“What do you think I’m doing, Pinkie?”
“Not you, Barix.”
Pinkie! don’t you have a job to do?
“Not right now. Barix is taking care of that.”
Two strikes Pinkie. One more and I’ll make things very difficult.
“Oh yes! Pretty please! I like it when things are exciting.”
“Pinkie, what are you talking about?”
As Barix turned a corner in the confusing maze-like fort, he smacked head first into the leader of the bandit faction who wasn’t affected by the walking inconvenience.
“Oh. My bad Barix. I didn’t know this was going to happen.”
“Just go find your friends. I don’t have time to deal with you right now.”
“BARIX!!!” Colt bellows at the dragonborn.
“And you, just shut up. You already gave me a headache.” Barix thought about working on his puns a little better.
“THE ONLY PLACE YOU ARE GOING IS BACK IN COLT’S CAGE WHERE YOU BELONG!!!” Upon which he readied two axes.
“I’ve learned my lesson on trying to reason with you so I won’t even try.” Barix got into a basic fist fighting stance.
“HAHAHAHA. Colt must have hit you harder than Colt thought. YOU REALLY THINK YOU CAN DEFEAT COLT!?! All you have are some ordinary clothes.”
“I didn’t get this far in life by my good looks. Now,” Barix thought of what Applejack said once, “Put em’ up partner.”
“YOUR DEATH WILL BE AT THE END OF COLT’S BLADE!!!”
Colt and Barix charged forward. Getting closer Colt raised both blades up ready to swing while Barix raised only one fist. The two enemies were one step away from each other when Colt swung his axe and missed as Barix ducked down into a slide. He then slid about ten feet and picked himself with rehearsed smoothness grabbing a steel sword from the air as well as a magika potion. Plan B was in effect.
“WHAT IS THIS MAGIC?”
“Hey Colt here’s a lesson,” Barix drank the potion faster than a town drunk and a shot of mead, “Never underestimate me.”
He threw the potion at the wall to grab a steel axe that was thrown at him from seemingly nowhere. Colt looked in that direction to see a finely dressed demon that had a dry and unamused expression.
“Will that be all ‘sir’?” The demon butler asked with much sarcasm.
“I’m good for now.”
“Finally.” The demon vanished after that.
“COLT WILL PAY YOU FOR YOUR INSOLENCE!”
“Are you sure? I charge a high exchange fee.”
Colt flung both axes at the dragonborn who dodged them with ease. After which he was dodging dagger after dagger. It was starting to be too much as some of them put cuts in his body.
“FUS!”
This only pushed the red guard away. Seems he learned how to counter the shout. Still, Barix had his weapons. Charging forward, he was blocked by the same shield from before. He deflected a stab from a dwarven sword while taking a few steps back. This was already proving to be a tough fight.
-------------------------------------------------
“Twilight, look out!” Rainbow called out before tackling a minion to the ground.
“Thanks Rainbow.” It wasn’t close to over as more were coming out of nowhere and everywhere at once. “Where’s Pinkie Pie and Barix? Have they come back yet?”
“He’s okaaaayhaaaay.” Pinkie sung from next to Twilight. “Barix is fighting this big meany boss inside.”
“I’ll go help him.”
“Twilight!” She was stopped by an enemy who was then kicked away by Applejack. “Barix can handle himself. We need ya here. We can’t take em’ all by ourselves.”
Twilight knew Applejack was right, but still...She didn’t have much time to think as two more were about to zap her with some spells. The four ponies continued to fight on until the enemies seemed to die down quite a bit. Twilight reasoned with herself that her friends could handle things from there and headed for the door.
“Twilight!”
A blast blew the door into pieces as something flew outside into the courtyard. Twilight was able to duck in time to miss the object entirely but was now standing in front of a yellowish armored figure. Colt took in the scene before him as almost all his men were unconscious or dead. He then took notice of the lavender pony laying on the floor. Rage filled the red guard as he tried to cut her in half but was stopped and then thrown across the courtyard.
“Barix!” The ponies shouted in surprise.
“Not now.” Which was preceded by a dagger to the shoulder. “Aaahhh. Damn it! Why won’t you stay down?”
“COLT WILL NOT BE DEFEATED BY THE LIKES OF YOU!!!”
Both charged at each other again. Barix was about to shout as Colt readied his shield. Before the shout could be followed through he switched to another.
“WULD!”
Colt was slammed into a wall but next he punched the dragonborn into the ground. The fight continued back and forth for some time. Even Twilight and her friends were finished with beating down the lackeys. In the meantime they sat and relaxed on the stone balcony above. At this point it was all up to Barix.
“So do you just not want to answer me or...” Twilight pestered Barix with the thousandth question on her mind.
“Twilight, jus leave Barix alone. He’s still in the middle fightin that other guy.”
“THAT’S COLT, YOU BEASTS!!!” Who was punched in the face.
“Twilight! Shut up! I can’t fight if you’re asking me stupid questions! Go home! Now!”
“...Fine. If that’s how you feel.” Twilight teleports away.
Barix turns around to face his opponent who delivers a swift strike cutting off his arm. Colt then kicks him to the ground.
“BARIX!” The other three ponies now fearing for their friends life.
“Now it is time for the dragonborn to finally die.”
Colt tries to deliver a final stab to his heart when-
“MUL! QAH! DIIV!”
The weapon broke against the new etheric dragon armor. Barix then grabs Colt by his chest piece and bringing him in for a solid headbutt which also cracked the dwarven helmet in the process. The unconscious bandit fell to the ground. The victor tests his regenerated arm further by stretching it several different ways.
“Good! Can we go now?”
“Dash, Barix just yelled at Twi, got his arm cut off, had it stitched up, then finished the bandit in one move and you ain’t got nothing to say but that?”
“Maybe I’m just too bored to care right now, Besides Twilight will get over it.”
“Pinkie, can you take over? I’ll go see Barix.”
“What do you want me to do? Throw a ‘Get The Situation Through Your Head’ party?”
AJ ignored that question and continued to take the last few steps to Barix.
“Ah see you used that miracle of a healing spell.”
“Yeah, Mora’s Boon can be a real lifesaver. You don’t have to say it.”
“Ya sure bout that?”
“I’m sure. I just had to get Twilight to stop pestering me. I’ll talk to her later. In the mean time I’ll collect the bounty on this one. You girls can get back to what you were doing.”
“That’s just the thing, we didn’t know where to start from. You seem ta know where to look most the time so we came ta look for ya.”
“Actually,” Barix grabs the dwarven shield from off of Colt, “You can take this back with you. It’s too powerful to be an ordinary shield. Just give it to Linda and she should be able to identify it for you.”
Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash made their way back home thanks to the resupply of photo’s from Barix.
“I still find that weird how Barix has photo’s at all. Isn’t this a dark ages game.”
SHUT UP PINKIE!
*cough cough* As I was saying, the three ponies made it back to the manor with no trouble. Barix had collected his bounty for the ‘dead’ bandit and returned home with even less trouble. Almost like the divines themselves wanted him to return home quicker. Once situated, he found Twilight in her room alone and thought this to be a perfect time to talk.
*knock knock*“Mind if I come in.”
“It’s your house.”
“Yeah,” As he strolls in, “but it’s more of a courtesy thing. So I wanted to come by and say I’m sorry.”
“...”
“Look I’m not gonna lie, you were kind of annoying.”
“Hey.”
“What do you expect? If I’m fighting someone I’m not going to stop and chat it up with a friend. He had more than a few upper hands on me and I needed to focus. Still I wanted to say I’m sorry. Does that help?”
“A little. But I still wanted to ask you a question, several if I’m being honest, but one major question.”
“Several? Well I like to go big. How’s about you start with that one first?”
